Does Diaz need a break? Here’s what Bayern boss Kompany says | OneFootball

Luis Diaz is one of the ever-presents at FC Bayern – and yet, ahead of the Bundesliga top match against Bayer Leverkusen, the question arose whether the Colombian might need a break soon. Coach Vincent Kompany gave a clear answer to that.

“We have a bit of an advantage in that he’s used to this top intensity. He’s done it many times in his career, playing three games in a short period. He looks very fresh, there are no signs that he needs a break,” Kompany explained at the press conference on Friday.

The Bayern coach also emphasized that he is closely monitoring the 27-year-old’s workload: “He’s human, so it can happen. Lucho is 27, that’s the right age to handle something like this – but if he did need to rest, we have solutions we can use. But at the moment, it looks like he wants to play.”

Since his move in the summer, Luis Diaz has taken on a key role in Munich. No other attacking player has more minutes on the pitch: the wing star has already played over 1,100 competitive minutes. That puts him among the four players Kompany relies on most frequently – alongside Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich.

This high workload has recently been criticized by experts such as Lothar Matthäus. On the BILD podcast “Bayern Insider,” the record national player warned that Diaz’s intense style of play could come back to haunt him in the final stretch of the season. While Matthäus praised the Colombian for his creativity and football intelligence, he also pointed out that his finishing still has room for improvement: “He’s missed another huge chance,” said the 63-year-old.

Kompany on Diaz: “He looks very fresh”

Kompany himself has rotated very little so far – with success. Under his leadership, FC Bayern has won all competitive matches this season. The Belgian relies on continuity, especially with players who have internalized his tactical ideas. Diaz is one of the central figures in this, as he perfectly implements both the high pressing and the direct attacking dynamics.

Photo: IMAGO

Critics see a risk in this management of workload. In previous years, injuries to key players have cost Munich valuable title chances in the crucial phase of the season. Kompany is aware of this danger – and emphasizes that his rotation is “not driven by automatism, but by observation.”

Before the duel with Bayer Leverkusen, one thing is clear for Kompany: Diaz will play – as long as nothing changes. The winger appears fit, lively, and motivated. And as long as that remains the case, the Bayern coach will continue to rely on him.

“He looks very fresh,” Kompany repeated with a smile. “And at the moment, it looks like he wants to play.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.