Bad luck for Bayern: Luis Díaz suffers a minor muscle tear

Not good news for FC Bayern Munich: Luis Díaz has picked up an injury in the Champions League and will be out of action for the record champions for the next few weeks.

As FC Bayern announced on Thursday afternoon, Luis Diaz “suffered a minor muscle tear at the back of his left thigh” during Wednesday evening’s Champions League match against Arsenal (2–2). “This was confirmed by examinations carried out by FC Bayern’s medical department.” The 29-year-old attacking player will therefore be sidelined for the time being.

Luis Díaz was not even in the starting line-up against the Gunners to ease the strain on him. Following the match against Leipzig, in which the Colombian played the full 90 minutes and scored three goals, he had, according to Kompany, “not been training at 100 per cent”.

In the second half against Arsenal, Luis Diaz was eventually called upon, coming on for Ismael Saibari in the 68th minute, but he did not see out the match on the pitch. Shortly before the end, the left-winger clutched his thigh and was replaced by Bara Sapoko Ndiaye in the 90th minute.

With such a packed fixture list, Diaz’s absence is a significant setback for Bayern Munich. Jamal Musiala is also currently sidelined with a thigh muscle injury. This means Kompany will find it no easier to rotate his squad over the coming weeks. Against Arsenal, Alphonso Davies had already played in the unfamiliar position of left attacking midfielder. The Canadian put in an impressive performance, scoring the equaliser to make it 1–1, and is therefore the first choice to start against Freiburg on Sunday.

Following the clash with Freiburg, Bayern face a cup tie against Magdeburg (Wednesday, 8.45 pm), before Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 6.30 pm) visit the Allianz Arena for the top-of-the-table clash.