Bandikyan avoided a fracture following a rough foul in the Cyprus vs. Armenia match

Armenia national team defender Artyom Bandikyan, who suffered a serious injury in the Nations League match against Cyprus, has avoided a fracture. The news was confirmed by the head of CSKA Moscow’s press service.

According to the preliminary examination results, a CT scan revealed neither a fracture nor ligament rupture in the 21-year-old footballer.

“According to the preliminary results, the CT scan revealed neither a fracture nor ligament rupture in Artyom Bandikyan. Artyom will soon rejoin the team in Moscow, where he will undergo further examinations under the supervision of our medical staff,” the statement said.

At the same time, the Football Federation of Armenia reported that Bandikyan suffered an ankle ligament injury. The defender is expected to need around three weeks to recover.

Bandikyan was injured in the 52nd minute of the Cyprus vs Armenia match (2–0). Cyprus defender Kostas Pileas made a heavy challenge on the Armenian player. After reviewing the incident with VAR, the referee showed Pileas a straight red card.

Bandikyan was unable to continue the match and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. Immediately after the game, Armenia head coach Yeghishe Melikyan suggested that the injury could be a fracture, but the preliminary examination did not confirm those worst fears.

As a result, the right wing-back will definitely miss Armenia’s next match against Montenegro on October 5. However, if his recovery progresses well, Bandikyan could return in time for the national team’s November matches against Cyprus and Latvia.