Diaz Shines in Bayern Debut with Assist vs Lyon

New Bayern Munich signing Luis Diaz has already had a chance to make his first appearance for his Bundesliga club. The former Liverpool attacker logged 45 minutes as a substitute in Bayern’s Saturday pre-season friendly against Olympique Lyon. It did not take long for the 28-year-old to get his name on the scoresheet. Diaz recorded an assist on Michael Olise’s 1-1 in the 53rd minute by drawing a penalty. Diaz himself produced three efforts on goal.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund, lead striker Harry Kane , and squad vice captain Joshua Kimmich have had a chance to comment on the Colombian. Freund found himself answering questions about whether – in light of Diaz’s work on the wing opposite the ultra-talented Michael Olise – whether Bayern have finally found a new version of the famous Arjen Robben-Franck Ribbery partnership

“ He looked very fresh, ” Freund remarked in the mixed zone. “ He got three big chances in. He’s gotten stuck in well. From the very start, one’s sensed his joy. He’s here to have fun. His interest in FC Bayern is noticeable.

“ He’s a very intense and industrious player, ” Freund continued. “ He’s very mature and speedy. He’s an absolute team player who’s very dangerous in front of goal. We can expect lots of scorer points [goals and assists] from him.

“ Regardless of whom we talked about him with at Liverpool, everyone agreed he was an absolute team player, ” Freund concluded. “ He fits the profile of the player we’re looking for. “

“ We always say, ‘don’t believe the hype or the drama’, ” Freund later stated when asked about a potential “Robbery Revival”. “ Let’s keep things grounded. Michael [Olise] has been here for a year. Luis Diaz is a top quality player who has achieved a lot. I’m looking forward to what’s to come. “

“ I’ve already noticed on the training pitch that he really likes football, ” Kimmich noted in his own mixed zone interview. “ He always has a smile on his face. He likes to come to training irrespective of which team he’s playing for.

“ He really enjoys football and that’s precisely what we need, ” Kimmich continued. “ He likes to work even when it hurts. He has an intensity about him, though he could have scored today.”

“ I think Thomas [Müller] had issues [helping integrating players], ” Kimmich answered when asked – without Müller – who would be the leading figure helping to integrate Diaz into the team. “ We have a few who speak Spanish. I think it’ll be fine. We’ll get it done. “

Diaz’s former Premier League colleague Kane didn’t think that Bayern would have to fall back on Spanish speakers, noting that four years spent at Liverpool had ensured that Diaz’s English was “ okay “.

Kane had more to add.

“ I think he did well today, ” Kane said. “ We’re really going to need him this season. I’m happy to have him. As a striker, you enjoy playing with players like that. I thought he was very effective during his time at Liverpool. He can make the difference. I think he’ll contribute here. “

GGFN | Peter Weis