Nikita Haikin, the Russian goalkeeper for Bodø/Glimt, achieved a personal milestone in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Sporting Lisbon. This marked the very first time the Russian has kept a clean sheet in either the main tournament or the play-off stages of the competition. Previously, he had participated in 11 Champions League matches, conceding a goal in every one (totaling 17 goals against). For context, the game concluded with a decisive 3-0 victory for the Norwegian club. The return fixture is scheduled for March 17th in Portugal’s capital. Although Haikin is eligible to play for the Russian national team, he has not been called up by Valery Karpin under an arrangement with the coaching staff. Furthermore, the keeper has already submitted paperwork to acquire Norwegian citizenship. His aspiration is to represent Norway at the 2026 World Cup.
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