CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev does not think Real Madrid will be any weaker without their injured stars.
The two sides meet in the Champions League in Moscow on Tuesday night.
“Madrid are a great club and they have enough players for two squads,” he said.
“They have players capable of replacing those who stayed in Madrid. I don’t think that’ll make it any easier for CSKA.”
CSKA boss Viktor Goncharenko paid tribute to goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, 32, who announced his retirement from international football on Monday after making 114 appearances for Russia.
“Speaking as a fan it’s a shame, but speaking as a coach he’ll be able to focus 100 per cent on CSKA,” Goncharenko told a press conference.
“I hope we can give him some more easy games. He’s in good shape and is at the right age to continue playing at the top.”
