Bayern Munich's defense has been beset by difficulties since the start of the season. Key fullback Alphonso Davies and Japanese national team defender Hiroki Ito have been sidelined for an extended period, and their return timeline is also uncertain.
Sky Sports Germany reported on the 9th (Korean time) that "Davies and Ito will likely find it difficult to return to the pitch for the time being." In the report, reporter Torben Hoffmann detailed the injury status and future scheduling of the two players.
Davies, considered the biggest loss in strength, underwent surgery for a torn cruciate ligament last March, and recovery is expected to take at least 8 months.
While internal forecasts suggest a possible return by the end of October or early November, no confirmed schedule exists yet. A Bayern Munich official noted, "Rehabilitation is progressing smoothly, but a hasty return could pose another risk."
The greater concern is Hiroki Ito. Since transferring to Bayern Munich, Ito has only appeared in 8 matches, suffering from midfoot injuries as many as three times in less than a year.
Ito, who played a key role in leading VfB Stuttgart to second place in the Bundesliga, drew attention last summer when he joined Bayern Munich for €28 million (45.1 billion won). However, due to frequent injuries, he spent most of his debut season undergoing rehabilitation.
He underwent his first surgery after fracturing his right midfoot during a preseason match last July, and after suffering a re-tear during rehabilitation, he had a second surgery in November. He finally returned to competition this February, playing 8 matches, but suffered another fracture in the same area in March, resulting in a season-ending judgment.
Bayern Munich has stated officially that "Ito has suffered another injury to his midfoot. His participation this season is impossible." He has completed his return to training, but full match readiness is expected to take an additional 3 to 4 months.
As a result, Ito is unable to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup currently taking place in the U.S., and missing the early schedule of the new season has become inevitable. Having played only 282 minutes since joining Bayern Munich, he stands at the brink of being forgotten.
In contrast, the recovery progress for Davies is relatively positive. However, having already suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury last season, managing overexertion will be essential after his return.
Due to the continued exits from the defensive line, Bayern Munich is increasingly likely to strengthen their defense in the summer transfer market. Following last season, questions regarding the stability of the existing center-back pairing of Mats Raube, Kim Min-jae, and Dayot Upamecano have arisen, signaling a complete defensive overhaul.
The absence of Ito and Davies will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Munich's operations at the start of the season. Particularly in Ito's case, with recurring injuries, there is a crisis where the transfer itself could be recorded as a failure.
[OSEN]