Bayern Munich’s Hiroki Itō is nearing a return from a broken foot, having lost the last 3 months to injury following on from his move to the Bavarians from VFB Stuttgart. Some tentative reports before the international break even estimated that he would be fit to return for Bayern’s game against VfL Bochum, ready to finally make his debut around 4 months after he first signed for the club.
However, journalists captured the Japanese footballer suffering a setback as he worked on his recovery during the international break and being unable to finish his training. He was then unable to make it into the matchday squad for the match against Bochum. But head coach Vincent Kompany took steps to assuage any fears:
“It’s normal for a player who had surgery in pre-season. Sometimes you go a step backwards to then make two steps forward,” Kompany explained, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “It was nothing bad and won’t change much for him.”
Though the setback has slightly delayed the former Stuttgart player, Kompany gives hope that he will be available sooner rather than later. Good things come to those who wait. And if Bayern fans have waited four months for Itō’s debut, surely it is possible to wait just a little longer.
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