Japanese Defender Faces Another Lengthy Absence After Painful Injury Comeback
In a cruel twist of fate, Bayern Munich’s Hiroki Ito has fractured the same metatarsal bone in his right foot for the second time in eight months – just weeks after completing his grueling recovery from the initial injury. The Bundesliga leaders confirmed the devastating setback on Sunday, leaving their defensive line in tatters ahead of crucial Champions League and title run-ins.
A Heartbreaking Relapse
The 24-year-old Japanese international, who only returned to action last month after his July 2023 fracture, suffered the re-injury during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over St. Pauli. Brought on as a 58th-minute substitute, Ito crumpled in pain during the closing stages of the match.
“The scan results couldn’t be clearer – and couldn’t be more disappointing,” read Bayern’s somber medical update about their summer signing from Stuttgart. Club officials estimate another “lengthy period” on the sidelines for the versatile defender.
Defensive Crisis Looms
Ito becomes the third Bayern defender felled by injury in ten disastrous days:
- Alphonso Davies (hamstring)
- Dayot Upamecano (knee ligament)
- Now Ito (metatarsal re-fracture)
The timing couldn’t be worse, with Bayern holding a precarious six-point Bundesliga lead and an April 8th Champions League quarterfinal against Inter Milan looming.
“This hits us all hard,” admitted sporting director Max Eberl, his voice heavy with empathy. “Hiroki just endured months of rehab, only to face the same battle again. We’ll rally together, but our hearts ache for him.“
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