After sitting out for nearly four months due to metatarsal fractures, left-back Hiroki Ito has returned to training at Sabener Strasse today. The Japanese international has been able to complete light running sessions and will continue to be evaluated to prevent any aggravation.
Since joining Bayern Munich from Stuttgart the previous summer, Ito has suffered fractures twice to the same foot. The first injury occurred during last season's summer preparation, which caused him to miss nearly 200 days of action. Only a month following his return, Hiroki Ito once again damaged his metatarsal in the Bundesliga matchup against St. Pauli. This sideline spell will last much longer than the last one.
Bayern Munich will stay cautious about Hiroki Ito's condition. The club will not risk anything, especially after Ito suffered from the same injury multiple times. There will be no time pressure to return, allowing his foot to heal properly. The defender will be introduced slowly to training and eventually to game time. Despite starting his on-field rehab earlier today, he is only scheduled to return to the pitch around late October.
Bayern Munich have limited options in left-back role
Currently, Bayern Munich remains a bit thin at left-back, with Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito, both having to sit out for extended periods. Josip Stanisic, Raphael Guerreiro, and Adam Aznou are expected candidates to fill the position. Still, with an out-of-position Stanisic, an aging Guerreiro, and an inexperienced Aznou, Ito's potential comeback midway through the first half of the season is a positive sign and can be crucial for Vincent Kompany's system.
Hiroki Ito played eight total matches for Bayern Munich last season, mostly at left-back. He also suited up twice for the Japan national team in the World Cup Qualifier, playing as a left center-back in a back-three. Despite minimal outings for the club, he managed to show excellent quality on both the offensive and defensive sides. The 26-year-old looks comfortable with the ball in build-up and shows good passing ability. He also bagged his first goal for Bayern against Eintracht Frankfurt following a set-piece.
Hopefully, the caution from the managerial and medical staff can help the Japanese defender stay healthy and contribute to Bayern Munich's success in the next season. The Bavarian faithful will hope to see Ito emulate the form he showed for VfB Stuttgart a few years ago. The Japanese international was one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, which eventually earned him a move to Bavaria.