Bayern Munich confirm crushing blow as injury-plagued defender suffers broken foot for second time as crisis deepens

The Bundesliga giants released a statement that confirmed that centre-back Hiroki Ito had suffered a metatarsal fracture during the club's 3-2 win over FC St. Pauli on Saturday. Ito was named in Vincent Kompany's starting lineup for their league clash, but he had to be replaced just before the hour mark, with Raphael Guerreiro taking his place in the left side of the centre defence. This is the second time in the 2024-25 campaign that the Japanese player suffered a broken foot.

Bayern shared the injury update on social media as their post read: "Hiroki Itō suffers a metatarsal fracture. Get well soon, Hiroki! We are all with you."

Ito's knock comes as a huge setback for the Bavarian club, who are already missing the services of several first-team players through injury. During the latest international break, star full-back Alphonso Davies ruptured his ACL and has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is also currently sidelined after he suffered a reaction while working on his comeback from a muscle injury.

Bayern will next face Augsburg in the Bundesliga on April 4 before squaring off against Inter in the first leg of their Champions quarter-final fixture on April 8.