Japanese media expected Hiroki Ito (25), who is about to return, to take the lead without difficulty.

Japan’s Soccer Digest said on the 28th, “Will Ito be able to secure the main position in Munich after returning from injury? Kim Min-jae and Dayo Upamecano are making minor mistakes.”

Ito suffered a major injury called a metatarsal fracture during the pre-season with Duren in July. Ito, who was working with Kim Min-jae in the central defense at the time, collapsed in the 18th minute of the first half, complaining of ankle pain. It was a big injury enough for teammates such as Kim Min-jae to come around Ito, which rarely happens, to check his condition. Munich then officially announced that Ito would not be able to play for two to three months.

After concentrating on rehabilitation after injury, Ito is said to be sweating profusely in order to return to training. While Ito was out of the race to become a starting member, Kim Min-jae and Upamecano assumed the starting lineup of center backs. The two started in all six official matches since the season’s opening. They lost only three goals in the league.

The media devalued Munich’s current center-back duo consist of South Korean player Kim Min-jae and French national team Upamecano. “Compared to the unstable last season, both have improved performance, but it is also true that there are still hasty judgments and mistakes.”

“We had a pleasant victory against Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League, but it is worrisome that we conceded two goals at the start of the second half due to careless defense,” he said.

It is expected that Ito will have a good chance of winning the competition with Kim Min-jae and Upamecano. The media said, “In pressure soccer under Coach Bang Saint-Kompany, a stable defender from the back is essential. If Ito shows the calm and smart defense shown in Stuttgart and the build-up ability to deploy offense, a good opportunity can be opened.”

Munich used a back three against Freiburg in the second round of the league. The media reported that Kompany may find a way to use Ito as a left-handed midfielder.

Ito is the first player hired by Kompany, who has been newly appointed this season. He entered Europe in 2021 by transferring to Stuttgart from the J-League on loan. He successfully settled down with 31 matches in his debut season and played 37 matches in the 2022-2023 season. Last season, he played 29 matches, 토토사이트 모음 the fewest since moving to Stuttgart, due to injury and participation in the Asian Cup.

Itso’s strength is that he can play not only center back but also left fullback. He played as a key defender for his former team Stuttgart, alternating between center back and fullback. He is 188 centimeters tall and weighs 84 kilograms, which is good and fast. Like a Japanese player, he has good footprints and abides by passing skills.

Ito will inevitably have a position competition with Kim Min-jae, “the second year in Munich.” He will also play at left center back like Kim. He may be the backup of left fullback Alfonso Davis, but Ito played more games as a center back last season. As Munich also prioritized strengthening its center back in the transfer market this summer, Kompany will likely use Ito as a center back rather than a full back.

Munich, which has won four consecutive games since the opening of the Bundesliga, has only three goals. With Kim Min-jae and Upamecano stably defending Munich’s last position, attention is focusing on whether Ito will dominate the center back competition as expected by Japanese media.