Bayern’s defensive headache deepens with Davies and Ito setbacks | OneFootball

Bayern Munich’s defensive ranks remain depleted as Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito continue their rehabilitation programs after prolonged absences, according to Bavarian Football Works and FCBInside. Both players have resumed work at Säbener Straße following brief recovery periods in their respective home countries, but neither is expected back at full fitness before the autumn.

Davies, sidelined since March with an anterior cruciate ligament tear sustained in a CONCACAF Nations League clash against the United States, is seeing encouraging progress in his recovery. Sky Germany’s Torben Hoffmann reported on the "Mia san vier" podcast that the left-back’s rehabilitation is moving ahead of schedule. Club expectations are now focused on a late October or early November return, a timeline that could see Davies back in contention during the final weeks of the Bundesliga’s first half.

The situation is more uncertain for Ito, who has endured a difficult stretch with repeated metatarsal problems. Signed with high hopes last summer, the Japanese defender originally picked up the injury in preseason and suffered a major setback in March when a recurrence ended his campaign. The medical staff is adopting a cautious approach after three stress fractures to the same area. According to Hoffmann, a minimum of three to four more months on the sidelines is expected, effectively ruling Ito out until late autumn or even beyond. The recurring nature of the injury leaves open questions about his long-term outlook with Bayern.

Manager Vincent Kompany faces the new campaign without two players who would ordinarily challenge for starting spots in his defense. The absence of Davies, in particular, leaves a gap on the left, while Ito’s unavailability constrains rotation options in the backline as the fixture list intensifies. Compounding Bayern’s defensive concerns, Josip Stanišić is also recovering from recent hamstring trouble, and Jamal Musiala remains out after fracturing his fibula at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Club leadership has so far resisted hasty moves in the transfer market, instead prioritizing deliberate squad planning with an eye on medium-term solutions. However, with a Champions League campaign and a title defense to manage, the pressure to reinforce or accelerate the recovery of injured players will only grow.

Both Davies and Ito are being closely monitored as Bayern’s medical team seek to minimize the risk of relapse. For now, supporters will have to wait until at least the autumn for news of their full returns, with any earlier comeback considered highly unlikely.

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