Spartak lose Bazhenov for season
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Article summary
FC Spartak Moskva forward Nikita Bazhenov will miss the rest of the UEFA Champions League group stage as a coccyx injury is more serious than first thought.
Article body
FC Spartak Moskva forward Nikita Bazhenov will miss the rest of the UEFA Champions League group stage and the conclusion of the Russian season as a coccyx injury is more serious than first thought.
Collision
The 21-year-old, who was due to represent Russia in their UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Portugal over the coming week, sustained the injury to his lower back in a collision with FC Rubin Kazan goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko during a league game on 23 September. Spartak thought Bazhenov would be back for their next fixture against FC Zenit St. Petersburg on 14 October but he has now been ruled out for at least two months.
'Annoying'
"This is my season over," Bazhenov said. "I'm out with a crack in the bone which is very annoying." Spartak have one point from their opening two UEFA Champions League Group B matches, and are next in action against bottom club FC Internazionale Milano in Italy on 18 October.