CSKA Moscow vs Inter Milan preview - Sneijder blow for Inter - 7M sport

CSKA Moscow vs Inter Milan preview - Sneijder blow for Inter



I have a say

Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2011 by PA

Inter Milan will be without playmaker Wesley Sneijder for their Champions League Group B clash at CSKA Moscow.

The Holland international missed the weekend's 3-1 triumph at Bologna with a thigh injury.

"Sneijder has not travelled to Moscow and this is a blow for us," Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri said.

"My fear is that we will lose him for some time because his injury seems more serious than what we first expected.

"We will wait to see what the doctors say."

Saturday's result was Inter's first victory of the campaign and handed Ranieri a winning start at the club after taking over the helm following Gian Piero Gasperini's sacking last week.

"It was important to start on the right foot," Ranieri said. "Now we have to be convinced that we are a good team and we must prove that on the pitch.

"We have to continue to work and grow but the important thing is that we recover our injured players."

Inter, who lost their Group B opener 1-0 to debutants Trabzonspor at the San Siro, are also missing midfielder Dejan Stankovic and defender Maicon through injury.

Rivals CSKA Moscow will be more than aware of Inter's threat, having lost their previous Champions League meetings with the Nerazzurri.

"Inter are favourites to finish top of our group," CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love said. "They have tradition and experienced players and it will be a difficult game."

CSKA coach Leonid Slutski will be hoping his players can show the same determination they displayed when they hit back from two goals down to clinch a 2-2 draw at Lille in the competition earlier this month.

The hosts go into the encounter at the Luzhniki Stadium in buoyant mood after last weekend's 3-1 triumph over Volga.

The result halted a three-match winless run in the league and left CSKA two points behind Russian Premier League leaders Zenit St Petersburg with five games remaining.

Vladimir Gabulov will replace the injured Igor Akinfeev in CSKA's goal.

The hosts are also without Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda, who is out with a knee injury.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.