FC Bayern consider backup plan for faltering Luis Diaz, says Max Eberl
FC Bayern are weighing a backup option for a struggling Luis Diaz, club sporting director Max Eberl said on Friday after the 7‑0 victory over Union Berlin, noting that every offensive player celebrated except the Colombian whose goal drought persists.
Nach the 7‑0 win against Union Berlin, all of Bayern’s attacking players had something to celebrate. Luis Diaz, however, hat remained the odd one out as his goal drought continued, a stark contrast to his teammates’ euphoria.
Locker‑room speeches highlight contrast
Harry Kane told reporters that the coach let them deliver several Reden (Rede) in the dressing‑room, a tradition the striker said added to the night’s Geschichte. “The coach had us give a few speeches (Red) in the locker‑room,” Kane said, smiling as he left the arena minutes after midnight, clutching a glazed gingerbread heart marked with a 100 to celebrate his next record. He listed Michael Olise’s first hat‑trick, Ismael Saibari’s inaugural Bayern goal, his own 100th strike and Serge Gnabry’s return from injury, noting that Olise’s speech was the shortest. “Wie the others spoke, I laughed,” Kane added.
Luis Diaz’s last Bundesliga goal came in the 5‑1 opening‑day win over VfB Stuttgart, and he has not added a measurable contribution since. In the following fixtures he missed high‑quality chances against Schalke, against Osnabrück in the cup and against Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League. The Colombian also saw a potential goal ruled out for off‑side earlier in the season.
Last week, after being introduced as a substitute against Elversberg, Diaz attracted criticism from teammate Josip Stanisic for failing to finish a perfect Michael Olise pass, opting for a series of tricks that resulted only in a heel‑tap. The incident underscored the frustration surrounding his recent performances.
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Speaking to Sky and RTL, Diaz insisted, “I believe the next game will bring that goal. You have to stay calm, mentally, so it does not burden you. It is about working on finishing – the only thing missing is the finish, and then it will be good.”
Upcoming break and rest plan
Diaz will not feature again until Bayern’s clash with Augsburg on 10 October, after which international fixtures are scheduled. Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo has agreed not to call him up, allowing the player a period of Sonderurlaub. Max Eberl explained, “In South America the international games are not mandatory now and it does good for the player. He has simply had many games, so it is nice.”
Across the season Diaz has amassed 51 appearances for Bayern, scoring 26 goals and providing 23 assists. For Colombia he added 16 caps, 7 goals and 3 assists. Sofascore data shows he has missed six clear‑cut chances in the Bundesliga and holds an expected‑goals value of 3.1 after four league matches. By comparison, Kane’s xG sits at 2.17 with three goals, while Olise’s is 2.65 and he has already netted four times. Saibari, who entered in the 63rd minute against Union, has recorded one goal and three assists in 178 minutes of league action.
Eberl concluded, “He will have a little holiday first and then re‑integrate. He will have his programme. There is no reason to worry about his fitness when he returns.”