KOU ITAKURA NEWS

Unused from bench Itakura (undisclosed) went unused off the bench in Saturday's 2-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar.

Impact Itakura was back on the team sheet Saturday after time out with an injury, using the international break to get back fit. However, he was unused, still yet to test his legs. He has started in both UCL games thus far, so he will be expected to return to that role, although they may be cautious after he had yet to see the field.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Misses due to injury Itakura (undisclosed) missed Saturday's 3-3 draw against Sparta Rotterdam due to injury, coach John Heitinga confirmed in a press conference, according to ADSportwereld. "I think w...

Impact Itakura is dealing with an undisclosed injury that made him miss the last Eredivisie game against Sparta. It remains unclear whether this is a new issue or a setback from his previous ankle injury suffered during the last international break with Japan. The center back is an important figure in Ajax's defense and if he has to miss the game against Chelsea in two weeks, Josip Sutalo will likely have an increased role at the back.

OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Makes five clearances at Marseille Itakura generated five clearancesand one interception in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Marseille. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 66th minute.

Impact Itakura led Ajax in clearances and now has 10 in two starts in UCL play. He also led his side in aerials won (three). The centerback did receive his first yellow card in the competition, though.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Features 67 minutes Saturday Itakura has featured 67 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Zwolle, confirming he is fully fit for Ajax.

Impact Itakura featured for more than an hour in Saturday's victory against Zwolle in the Eredivisie, confirming the injury he suffered while on international duty was only minor and that he is fully fit again for Ajax. This is good news for the team since he has been an undisputed starter since his arrival from Gladbach, and he will likely be in the lineup when facing Inter Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League season opener.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off with pain Itakura (undisclosed) was forced off in pain of Saturday's 0-0 draw against Mexico in a friendly game, according to The Chosun Daily.

Impact Itakura was forced off in the 60th minute of Saturday's clash against Mexico after suffering an undisclosed injury. The center-back will likely be assessed once back in Amsterdam to determine the extent of the issue. That said, this is a blow for Ajax since the injury comes only 10 days before the first Champions League clash against Inter Milan, and a potential absence of Itakura would force a change in the starting XI with Josip Sutalo likely replacing him in the backline.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Consistent Bundesliga starter Itakura made 31 starts in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals.

Impact Itakura put together a new career-high for minutes, appearances, and starts during his third campaign in the Bundesliga. The defender put together a nearly identical offensive showing to 2023/24, with three goals, 21 shots and seven on target. This time though, the defense was far better, with Itakura earning six clean sheets.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Starts for season finale Itakura (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Wolfsburg.

Impact Itakura is returning to the starting XI after his absence last match, no surprise after he was training this week. He is a regular starter, starting in all 32 of his appearances this season, so he will be happy to have seen the start immediately.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Trains after absence Itakura was back in training Tuesday after missing Saturday's 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich, accoridng to Jan Lustig of Kicker.

Impact Itakura missed Saturday's contest but made his return to training Tuesday, a positive update for the defender. This is good news, as he will likely be an option Saturday if he continues to train. They will hope he is fit, as that would be an addition of a regular starter for their season finale.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener in loss Itakura scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Sunday's 3-2 loss versus Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Itakura scored the opener in the 24th minute with his third goal in the season. The centerback also led Mgladbach in clearances as usual, but couldn't help them avoid the road loss. He's been an important piece in the squad and started 28 times in 2024-25.

APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener in 1-1 draw Itakura scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against FC St. Pauli.

Impact Itakura scored his team's only goal as they drew 1-1 at St Pauli. The goal came just before halftime and put his team in the lead. This was his second goal of the season and made it back-to-back games where he had a shot on target.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-digit clearances in win Itakura had one shot on goal, made three tackles (all won), 10 clearances and one block and helped his side to keep a clean sheet during Saturday's 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Itakura had another game with double-digit clearances to his account while also being helpful on the attacking end as his lone shot generated the rebound that was slotted home by Alassane Plea for the game-winning goal. With 131 clearances over 26 league starts, Itakura ranks fifth in the category among all Bundesliga players, forming with Nico Elvedi one of the most dominant defensive partnerships of the game.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension over Itakura is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Itakura missed Friday's 3-1 defeat against Mainz due to suspension but is now back available for Saturday's clash against Bremen. He should get back directly to the starting XI in the defense for that game as he has been a regular starter this season.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss next match Itakura was shown his fifth yellow card of the season during Saturday's 3-0 win over Heidenheim.

Impact Itakura was shown the card in the 53rd minute and will miss next week's match against Mainz through suspension.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Recovered from illness Itakura (illness) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Itakura is good to go after recovering from an illness which kept him out last week against Bochum. The defender returns immediately to the starting XI having started all 19 of his league appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Itakura (illness) is out for Saturday's match against Bochum.

Impact Itakura is missing his first match of the season Saturday, as he has been left off the team sheet due to an illness. He will hope for a quick turnaround and to return to his regular starting spot again next match, with Marvin Friedrich taking his spot Saturday.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Saturday Itakura (illness) was ill in the past few days due to an infection but has partially trained on Thursday, coach Gerardo Seoane said in the press conference.

Impact Itakura has trained partially on Thursday morning following a few days with an infection and is therefore questionable for Saturday's game against Bochum. If he can't make the squad, Fabio Chiarodia or Marvin Friedrich (if fit) could replace him in central defense.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Scores rare goal Itakura scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal), making an interception, a tackle and four clearances during Saturday's 3-2 win over Heidenheim.

Impact Itakura found the back of the net in the 22nd minute scoring Gladbach's first goal of the match. It was also the first goal of the season for Itakura who has started and played every minute of every match in the Bundesliga thus far.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Three shots Sunday Itakura had three shots (zero on goal) in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Union Berlin.

Impact Itakura was bombing forward whenever he had the chance and he sent a few speculative efforts in to try and cause some issues. He failed to do so as most of his shots were tame to say the least. Still the defender did earn the clean sheet and was looking solid back in the starting XI Sunday.

APRIL 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Viewed running Itakura (ankle) was pictured running during training Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's match against Dortmund.

Impact Itakura looks to be nearing a return after being viewed running at training following a month-long absence due to minor surgery on his ankle. The defender will most likely remain out for the Dortmund match but hopefully will be an option for their first match in December against Hoffenheim. When he does return, he could find a nod in the starting XI immediately, as he started all seven matches for the club before encountering his knock.

NOVEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Needs minor surgery Itakura (ankle) needs minor surgery that is expected to rule him out until after the international break, according to manager Gerardo Seoane. "Ko Itakura needs a small surgical pr...

Impact Itakura had started all seven matches played at center back this season, totaling two goals with 21 clearances so far. He will be sidelined for the time being, with Marvin Friedrich expected to get the start in the back line alongside Nico Elvedi.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not training Itakura (ankle) missed training Wednesday, Rheinische Post reports.

Impact Itakura is in doubt for Saturday's clash with Heidenheim as his bruised ankle continues to keep him out of training. The defender misses a Sunday clash with Koln, bringing Marvin Friedrich into the starting XI in his place. If Itakura can't go for the Heidenheim match it would be Itakura who slots into the back three alongside Nico Elvedi and Maximilian Wober.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with ankle injury Itakura is not in the match day squad to face Koln on Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Impact Itakura suffered the injury on international duty with Japan and was deemed not fit enough for Sunday's match. The defender was replaced in the starting XI by Marvin Friedrich, but should be available in time for next week's clash with Heidenheim.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In starting XI Itakura (strain) will start Friday's matchup with Mainz.

Impact Itakura has started all six of the club's matches this season and will keep his place in the starting XI versus Mainz as well. Through those contests, the central defender has registered two goals on six shots (three on target), 20 clearances and 11 interceptions.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with strain Itakura picked up a strain and has been limited in training ahead of Friday's match against Mainz, confirmed manager Gerardo Seoane.

Impact Itakura has been dealing with some pain in training as his status for Friday is unclear. He's started all six matches at center back for the team, totaling two goals already after not scoring once during the 2022/23 campaign.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets in loss Itakura scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Impact Itakura opened the scoring with a rare goal during Saturday's narrow loss. The center-back isn't a major goal-scoring threat for the most part but he can make the most of the corners Gladbach continually earn. Itakura has scored twice before the international break in just three months, though that goal scoring certainly isn't worth chasing.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE