KOU ITAKURA NEWS

Scores opener Saturday Itakura scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 4-4 draw against FC Augsburg. He was subbed off due to injury in the 75th min...

Impact Itakura opened the scoring in the first half with a towering header following a cross from Franck Honorat in what was the first Bundesliga goal of his career. However, as a central defender, Itakura is expected to earn most of his fantasy value via defensive stats. The fact that he was subbed off due to injury in the second half means he should be treated as questionable for Saturday's game against Bayer Leverkusen.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available to return at weekend Itakura will be eligible to feature in next weekend's clash against Borussia Dortmund after serving a red card suspension.

Impact Itakura missed Saturday's win over Bochum after getting sent off in the previous game versus Stuttgart, but he should plug straight back into the XI alongside Nico Elvedi in central defense to take on Dortmund next weekend.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

One-match ban confirmed Itakura will only be suspended for one match after being shown a red card against Stuttgart, the DFB announced.

Impact Itakura's case was reviewed and his ban wasn't extended. The defender will miss a single match, a Saturday clash with Bochum, and will be eligible to return against Dortmund. Marvin Friedric will likely slot into the starting XI in central defense.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off against Stuttgart Itakura received a straight red card -- following a VAR review -- in the 82nd minute of Saturday's clash against Stuttgart following a foul on Tiago Tomas in the penalty area.

Impact Itakura had played every minute of Gladbach's 15 Bundesliga games in 2023 up until his sending off on Saturday, but he will now be suspended at least for next weekend's clash with VfL Bochum. Marvin Friedrich or Tony Jantschke is likely to replace him in the XI alongside Nico Elvedi in central defense for the match.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy in loss Itakura had one cross (zero accurate) and four tackles in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Union Berlin. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 8th minute.

Impact Itakura had plenty to do behind the ball during Sunday's loss. The center-back was busy throughout the match, making a season-high four tackles while also adding three clearances. It didn't end up being enough for the clean sheet but it was a good showing, and another full 90 from the defender. Itakura looks set to see major playing time throughout the closing stages of the Bundesliga.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Piles on clearances Itakura made five clearances and one interception during Friday's two-all draw with Werder Bremen.

Impact Itakura made five clearances as he anchored the central defense yet again. When fit the center-back has been a near-guarantee to start and go the full 90, adding strong volume defensively. The defender has also produced a pair of assists, though he offers little offensive upside from center-back.

MARCH 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy in win Itakura registered one tackle (zero won), one clearance and one interception in Saturday's 4-1 victory against Hoffenheim.

Impact Itakura had plenty to do and did well, though he just missed out on the clean sheet Saturday. The center-back doesn't offer much going forward but if the Gladbach defense continues to improve he could see more consistent clean sheet upside. Itakura has made at least two blocks in each of his last three starts.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists late goal Itakura had an assist with his lone chance created while taking an off target shot, blocking two shots, making two tackles and two clearances during Sunday's 3-2 loss to Leverkusen...

Impact Itakura set up Lars Stindl in the 93rd minute assisting Gladbach's second goal. The assist was the second in seven appearances for the defender as he's helped Gladbach to just one clean sheet during his time on the pitch.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back with club Itakura is back with Gladbach following a lengthy knee injury and then the World Cup.

Impact Itakura started Monchengladbach's first five games of the season before suffering an MCL injury that ruled him out from September until just before the World Cup. He then started all three of Japan's group stage games in the tournament before missing the Round of 16 loss to Croatia with a yellow card suspension. But the center-back is back with his club now and will want to break back into the XI in central defense alongside Nico Elvedi.

JANUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Misses loss to Croatia Itakura was suspended for Monday's loss to Croatia after penalties.

Impact Itakura had logged one assist but also conceded two yellow cards during the group stage to miss this Round of 16 matchup. With injuries hampering the first half of his season before the World Cup, Itakura will hope to make a greater contribution in 2023.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second yellow card Itakura made two interceptions and picked up a yellow card during Thursday's 2-1 win over Spain. As a result of the booking, he will be suspended for Monday's match against Croatia...

Impact Itakura started all three games in the group stage and made nine tackles but will now miss the most important game yet. Hiroki Ito could start in his place alongside Maya Yoshida in central-defense.

DECEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assists Wednesday Itakura assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Germany.

Impact Itakura got the start at center-back but stepped up offensively to provide an assist for what proved to be a crucial goal. The center-back has recovered from some long-term injury concerns and should be a stable part of the Japan back line while fit in the World Cup. That said his extremely limited offensive upside isn't something to chase in most matches.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fit to play Itakura (knee) has been declared as fit for Friday's match against Borussia Dortmund, according to manager Daniel Farke. "He is fit again, but he's not a candidate for the starting...

Impact Itakura comes back at a perfect time following an injury that's kept him out for over two months. He'll now work on getting back to full fitness as Itakura will join Japan's national team for the World Cup in the next week, though he first may play a small role in Friday's game.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Machino replaces injured Nakayama in Japan's World Cup squad

Japan has drafted in forward Shuto Machino to replace injured defender Yuta Nakayama on its World Cup roster for Qatar

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • Associated Press

Training with ball Itakura (knee) was pictured training with the ball individually during Wednesday's training session.

Impact Itakura is still a doubt to play domestically before the Winter break, but it seems like a potential return to the national team could be on the cards. The defender was named to the initial squad for the World Cup, and if he can achieve an acceptable level of fitness is in line to make the final squad as a likely starting defender.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

World Cup goal for Japan is quarterfinals - at least

Japan soccer coach Hajime Moriyasu repeated his aim again for the World Cup

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • Associated Press

Expected out until 2023 Itakura (knee) is expected to be out until 2023 with a knee injury suffered in September.

Impact Itakura returned to running Friday, but he has yet to show anything to put his recovery time any earlier than 2023. The defender could see a junior team recovery appearance during the World Cup break but that would be the earliest possible return.

OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hasn't returned to training Itakura (knee) was not training with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a partial MCL tear.

Impact Itakura hasn't played in almost a month after injuring his knee in training in September, and he'll be a doubt for Sunday's clash against FC Koln. Marvin Friedrich has mostly taken over for him alongside Nico Elvedi in central defense after Christoph Kramer was pushed further upfield.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Koreans concerned about Son's drought ahead of World Cup

Son Heung-min’s goal drought has extended to eight games for Tottenham and it's heightening worries back in Seoul over the form of the South Korean star just months out from the Wo...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • Associated Press

Starts once more Itakura had one shot (zero on goal) as well as making four interceptions in Friday's 1-0 win against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Itakura has been a nailed-on starter since joining Gladbach, starting and going the full 90 in all three matches to open the campaign. The defender may not have a lot of offensive upside but he should have the chance to wrack up the clean sheets in a much-improved defensive unit for Gladbach.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist in win Itakura provided one assist from one chance created during Saturday's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim.

Impact Itakura started on his 'Gladbach debut and got off to a good start by helping Ramy Bensebaini to his side's first goal. Whether or not Itakura starts more consistently could be reliant on the health of the defense but after making 31 appearances during Schalke's promotion campaign last season, he could be a major part of the back line.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Celtic: Jota close to joining in permanent deal; Man City duo Ko Itakura and Taylor Harwood-Bellis being monitored Jota has told Benfica he wishes to stay at Celtic; Portuguese winger moved to Glasgow on loan and scored 13 goals in his first season at Cel...

MAY 25, 2022 • SKY.COM