There are many European leagues, but all of them are going to be closed in September, and we are sighing at the collapse of DF
Aug 24, 2025
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Defender Machida Goki suffered a major injury in his German Bundesliga debut. Machida started as a center back in the opening match of the 2025-2026 Bundesliga against Leverkusen in Biarena on the 23rd (Korea time). However, he collapsed after colliding with Alex Grimaldo in the 40th minute of the first half. Machida, who complained of pain by holding his left knee, was treated outside the ground, but was replaced after deciding he could no longer play. Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilcher said after the game, `We will know only when the exact diagnosis results come out, but it is a serious injury. There is a possibility that it could lead to long-term absences."
Machida, who made a full transfer after a loan move from Kashima Antlers to Royal Winion Saint-Jillouise in 2023, moved to Hoffenheim ahead of this season. The Japanese national team has played 17 A matches.
Japanese soccer media Soccer Digest expressed concern that it would be difficult for Machida to convene an A-match in September, saying 'If defenders such as Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arnall), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), and Gota Takai (Tottenham) are out due to injuries, it will be an emergency if Machida is excluded (from the A-match in September).'
Japan boasts enough depth to make the national team roster into European leagues. However, the concern is that there are no top-class players in the league in attack and defense compared to strong midfielders. In addition to Machida, Tomiyasu, Ito, and Takai have been considered as competitive players in the national team's center back line in the 2026 North-China World Cup finals. But Tomiyasu has not escaped injury for years, and neither has Ito. Takai also emerged shortly after entering Tottenham, and Machida was injured, making it inevitable that he will be absent for the time being.
Japan, like Hong Myung-bo, is set to travel to the United States next month. They will face Mexico in Oakland on the 7th and the United States in Columbus on the 10th. In addition to European teams, Moriyasu is expected to find a replacement in a defense that encompasses domestic teams that played in the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup).
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
