Luis Diaz Says He’ll “Need Time to Integrate” After Lively Bayern Munich Debut

Colombian Winger Eases Into Life in Bavaria Following €75m Move from Liverpool

Luis Diaz has only just pulled on the red of Bayern Munich for the first time, but his debut already offered fans a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come. The €75 million signing from Liverpool featured in Bayern’s 2-1 friendly win over Lyon on Saturday, coming off the bench in the second half to make an immediate impact.

The 28-year-old Colombian winger won a penalty, nearly found the net late on, and injected real energy into Vincent Kompany’s attack. Yet despite his strong cameo, Diaz was quick to temper expectations, insisting after the match that he will need time to fully integrate into his new surroundings.

“I’ll Get Used to the Team Bit by Bit”

Speaking to Bayern’s club media after the game, Diaz expressed both satisfaction and caution about his first appearance in a Bayern shirt.

“I’m very happy to have played my first game for Bayern. I had a good feeling on the pitch. It was an interesting game, we controlled the game. I’ll get used to the team bit by bit. I think I personally had a good game. I had chances to score, but hopefully I’ll score next time.”

The Colombian, known for his explosive dribbling and direct running, acknowledged that it will take time to fully understand Kompany’s system and build chemistry with his teammates.

“My first impressions are incredible. I’m very happy and feeling well in my first few days here. I’ll need a bit of time to integrate and get to know my teammates so I can help the team better. I’m happy with my teammates and happy to be at Bayern.”

Hungry for Titles

Diaz arrives in Munich with a winning pedigree, having played a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph last season, scoring 13 goals. His ambition is clear: to continue collecting silverware and to be a decisive factor in Bayern’s quest for glory.

“As I said on the first day, I want to win all possible titles with this club and help the team with my football—with my goals, assists—even if I have to sit on the bench sometimes. I’ll try to always be available to the coaching staff and bring my performances to the pitch. Hopefully, we’ll have a great season. I’m convinced of that, and we’ll give everything for that.”

Bayern, the reigning Bundesliga champions, see Diaz as a player who can add more flair and directness to their attack, complementing the likes of Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, and Harry Kane.

From Anfield to the Allianz

FC Bayern München v Olympique Lyonnais – Pre-Season Friendly luis diaz

Diaz’s move marks the latest chapter in a career that has taken him from humble beginnings in Colombia to Porto, Liverpool, and now one of the biggest clubs in Germany. His time at Anfield was marked by flashes of brilliance, none more so than last season when he played a central role in Liverpool reclaiming the Premier League title.

At Bayern, he will be expected to adapt to a different style of play, one that blends Bundesliga intensity with the possession-heavy approach Kompany is aiming to implement. While Liverpool relied heavily on rapid transitions, Bayern often find themselves tasked with breaking down deep defensive blocks—a challenge Diaz’s creativity and one-on-one skills should help solve.

Building Match Fitness Before the Big Kick-Off

Diaz is likely to get more minutes in Bayern’s remaining pre-season fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Grasshoppers. These games will serve as valuable opportunities to sharpen his match fitness and strengthen on-field connections with his new teammates.

His first competitive appearance could come in the German Super Cup against Stuttgart, a potential early chance to lift silverware and make his mark in front of Bayern’s home supporters.

The Bundesliga season begins on August 22 with a high-profile clash against RB Leipzig—another early test for Diaz as he settles into life in Germany.

Early Signs Point to a Strong Fit

While Diaz was quick to stress that he is still finding his feet, there was plenty in his debut to excite Bayern fans. His direct approach, ability to win fouls in dangerous areas, and eye for goal all translate well to the demands of the Bundesliga.

Kompany, who is overseeing his first pre-season in charge of Bayern, will be encouraged by how seamlessly Diaz slotted into the flow of the game after coming on. Winning a penalty and nearly scoring within his first 45 minutes in a Bayern shirt is no small feat.

Final Word

Luis Diaz’s Bayern Munich career is only just beginning, but the Colombian’s debut showed enough to hint at the difference he can make. His honesty about needing time to adapt is a reminder that even world-class talent requires patience and integration to truly shine in a new environment.

If he can quickly form partnerships with Bayern’s attacking stars and adjust to Kompany’s tactics, Diaz has all the tools to become one of the standout players in the Bundesliga this season. For now, Bayern fans will be eager to see more of the electric winger as he takes the next steps in his journey from Anfield hero to Allianz Arena favourite.