Luis Diaz had a different kind of immediate impact at his new club Bayern Munich. He notched the winning goal in their 2-1 win against VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. On [ INSERT DATE ], Diaz made his competitive debut for the Bavarian behemoths. This game began to set a hopeful tone for his time at the club. The transfer fee paid to Liverpool for Diaz could escalate to £64.7 million, further highlighting the expectations surrounding his performance.
As Bayern Munich prepares for the 2023-24 season, Diaz’s impact is already being felt. He will turn 29 in January, so while he plays a very dynamic style, his experience will be an asset. He netted against Stuttgart, showing his ability to get into the six-yard box to score. It’s something that his teammates and coaches have grown to appreciate with his pinpoint finishing.
Praise from Teammates
Fellow new Bayernais Harry Kane was one of those who talked up Diaz’s potential, tweeting that the 21-year-old “could be a superstar.” He added that Diaz’s goal production will be a big key to their success going forward.
“He gets into that six-yard box, he makes those runs and he has got a great finish. I think it is important, especially in this modern football, for the wingers to be scoring hopefully 15 to 20 goals a season. The goal was a great run, a great finish.” – Harry Kane
USMNT and Manchester City striker Cameron Kane called the last 24 hours “a crazy 24 hours” after making his own transfer and debut just days before. He said that Diaz’s arrival is especially important given the sea change occurring within the squad. With key players having departed, Kane indicated that the team is still adjusting but views Diaz as an essential signing.
“He only really left last week. We have to look forward, we have to move on. He was a big character but that gives other people opportunities to step up and be that leader.” – Harry Kane
Kane too recognized that it will take all of the team’s players playing their best coming into the fall. But more than anything else he stressed the importance of every member of the squad to fulfill their potential when it matters most.
Diaz’s Work Ethic and Future Expectations
Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, praised Diaz’s work rate, which he believes will be vital in high-stakes matches. Freund said that Diaz’s work ethic and talent will add depth to the team’s roster.
“You could see how hard-working he is. I think that is a very important point over the whole season, that he is a player who works very, very hard and can still do decisive things up front.” – Christoph Freund
Not only did Diaz score the eventual game-winner, but he was behind a number of goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match. Unfortunately, he didn’t finish those opportunities. His contributions greatly hint at the type of impact he is able to provide in helping Bayern continue their pursuit of another Bundesliga title.
Diaz opens this year facing tremendous expectations. Everyone expects him to hit the back of the net 15-20 times a season, creating even greater expectations and pressures on him. The way he has been able to acclimate himself quickly and make an impact has already gained him a wealth of respect from his fellow teammates.
A Bright Start for Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s narrow victory in the Supercup further increases their heavy odds to win the Bundesliga title outright. They’re poised to really make a deep run this year! And with new signings like Diaz and Kane now on board, supporters might be dreaming of a long-awaited successful campaign just around the corner.
Kane explained the need to celebrate every trophy but still keep your eye on the next obstacle ahead. He commented on the mental aspect of how the team needs to galvanize itself in order to be successful.
“We celebrate every trophy like it is the first and we move on to the next one.” – Harry Kane
Bayern is continuing to adjust to a hectic schedule full of competitive matches. Diaz’s performance will be more important than ever in figuring out how successful they will be.
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