VfB Stuttgart's Japanese star, Hiroki Ito, will be sitting out the remainder of this year due to an unfortunate injury. The midfielder picked up an injury during their 2:1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, forcing him to seek rehabilitation in his home country.
Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth expressed his disappointment, stating, "Hiroki's absence has dampened the joy of our victory in Frankfurt because he is a very important player for us with his footballing qualities and mentality." He lamented that the team will miss Ito's contributions for an extended period.
Despite Ito's absence, Stuttgart intends to remain competitive in the Bundesliga. The team boasts a strong roster with several players capable of stepping into Ito's shoes. However, the specifics of how the team will navigate without Ito remain unclear, as sources do not provide detailed information on their strategy.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, Ito's current club, faces challenges due to his injury and those of other key players, including Alphonso Davies and Joao Palhinha. The team will need to adapt and reorganize, relying on alternative defenders and adjusting their lineup accordingly. Again, specifics on Bayern's approach are scarce in the available sources.
Hiroki Ito is reportedly recovering from a metatarsal fracture, initially expected to take around three months to heal. However, additional complications and a second surgery have significantly delayed his return. Current forecasts suggest he might make a comeback around February 23, 2025.
[1] BetInf [3] Sports Chosun
