Luis Díaz expects his second goal of the new Bundesliga season when Union Berlin visit Bayern Munich on Friday night, and the Colombian will face opponents who already feature in one of his favourite memories from last term.
Luis Díaz targets Union Berlin breakthrough
Bayern host Union at the Allianz Arena at 20:30, shortly before the Oktoberfest opening. Díaz scored a standout goal against the Berlin side last season, one he ranks among the finest of his career.
He called it a “street-football goal”, a finish that took him back to his childhood. Díaz also believes his sharpness will return soon after missed chances early this season. “I am looking for my best level and I will find it soon,” he said. “I think the goal will come in the next match.”
His only Bundesliga goal so far came in Bayern’s 5-1 opening win over Stuttgart. It has been a slower start than his first campaign in Germany, when he scored in each of his first three league rounds. He also registered two assists on his Bundesliga debut, a 6-0 victory over Leipzig.
Strong first year, slower team start
Díaz finished his debut Bundesliga season with 15 goals and 17 assists. He described it as a very special year, crediting Bayern’s dressing room for making him feel settled from his first day at the club.
Bayern, however, have not yet matched last season’s level. Díaz said the side are still developing their rhythm after a packed schedule that left little recovery time, with the World Cup also affecting the summer calendar.
He is not concerned by his own current run. Díaz pointed instead to his mentality and his desire to keep improving and collecting more trophies.
Saibari helps, Brown impresses
Life away from football is becoming easier for Díaz, although German remains a difficult language for him. The arrival of Ismael Saibari has helped. The new Bayern player speaks Spanish, giving Díaz a teammate with whom he can communicate in his own language.
Another summer arrival, Nathaniel Brown, has caught Díaz’s attention on the pitch. He described the German international as spectacular and said Brown’s early displays made an immediate impression.
Brown is primarily a full-back but has also appeared as a No. 10. Díaz sees that positional range as a major advantage for Bayern.
Olise partnership remains important
Díaz also welcomed Michael Olise staying at Bayern. He said the team could not afford to be broken apart and that losing a player of Olise’s quality would have been difficult.
The Colombian values Olise’s character as much as his football. He sees similarities in their reluctance to speak extensively about themselves in public, although Díaz said Olise is very talkative within the group.
Against Union, their combination play could again matter. Díaz has already supplied one memorable finish against the visitors. He now wants another.
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