Weakened CSKA head for Spain

11 January 2012 12:16

Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow went Wednesday to the Spanish resort city of Campoamor to start their preparations for next month's two-leg Champions League tie with Real Madrid.

The Red Army side were without their fisrt-choice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev and Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda, the duo both having undergone knee surgery.

Chilean attacking midfielder Mark Gonzalez will also miss the training camp in Spain on medical advice, the team doctor saying that the three players would be able to join up with the squad in two or three weeks.

CSKA's Ivory Coast marksman Seydou Doumbia was also absent as he is currently preparing for the African Nations Cup with his national side, while Brazilian forward Vagner Love would be a late arrival at Campoamor.

"We drew one of the strongest opponents," Serbian midfielder Zoran Tosic said in reference to Real Madrid.

"Real are currently playing the best football in Europe after their compatriots Barcelona.

"It's a very difficult task to beat Real but we will do our best to expose their weaknesses. We need to give all we have and even more in these two matches. After that we will see whether it was enough for the victory."

Source: AFP