Even though CSKA Moscow’s Igor Akinfeev (pictured) remains Russia’s best goalkeeper in the eyes of many, he is no longer #1 in the FTBL ranking.
Akinfeev has been in free fall since the loss to Manchester United in the Champions League (0:1), which was compounded by the league defeat to FC Moskva (1:3); he dropped more than 20 rating points to see his overall FTBL rating shrink to 56.46 points.
Zenit St. Petersburg’s Vyacheslav Malafeev has been quick to capitalize on Akinfeev’s slip: Even the 2:2 draw at home against bottom-placed FC Khimki did little to prevent him from capturing the leadership. He is now more than 8 rating points ahead of Akinfeev in the ranking (64.76 points).
Akinfeev can in theory return to the top in his next 5 games; he will have to beat a plank 27 rating points lower than Malafeev’s. But to do that, CSKA will have to begin winning again.
Akinfeev also has a backup plan in the form of Russia’s World Cup 201 playoff game against Slovenia: despite his latest mishaps, he remains coach Guus Hiddink’s first choice for the national team.
© FTBL.com