It is nothing serious,
Luis Díaz told Sky after the match, echoing the initial optimism inside the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. Less than 24 hours later, medical scans revealed a different reality for FC Bayern Munich.
Bayern confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 29-year-old winger sustained a small muscle fiber tear in his left hamstring during the 2-2 Champions League draw against Arsenal. The injury sidelines the Colombian international for the coming weeks, interrupting a run of form that included a hat-trick against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Scans Reveal Muscle Tear After Late Exit Against Arsenal
Díaz began Wednesday’s European fixture on the bench after battling minor physical trouble following the 6-1 victory over Leipzig. Manager Vincent Kompany introduced the forward in the 68th minute to replace Ismael Saibari, seeking an injection of pace on the left flank. The decision yielded an immediate spark, but ended in distress when Díaz sat on the turf in the 90th minute, clutching the back of his left leg before leaving the pitch. He had not trained 100 percent in the buildup to the match, and coach Kompany revealed that the player should have been taken off during the Leipzig fixture due to fears that something had happened. When explaining why Díaz was left out of the starting lineup, Kompany noted that the team was in a phase with many matches and little recovery time, meaning lingering influences from one game can carry into another. Kompany also disclosed that on Wednesday morning, the player himself had expressed a strong desire to play.
Post-match assessments from club officials offered widespread reassurance before definitive diagnostics were completed. Sporting director Max Eberl told reporters in the stadium catacombs that the player had felt a minor muscular tweak but expressed hope that the issue was not dramatic.
Magnetic resonance imaging on Thursday morning dispelled that early optimism. According to reporting from BILD, the extent of the tear will keep the forward out of action for at least a month, with a recovery window stretching up to six weeks depending on his rehabilitation.
Bayern Faces Demanding Schedule with Several Squad Absences
The diagnosis arrives during a demanding stretch for the German record-keeper. Bayern travels to face SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday, a match where the club anticipates the return of midfielder Joshua Kimmich—absent against Arsenal due to a family bereavement—and the suspended Michael Olise. Yet the squad remains thrashed by fitness concerns, with playmaker Jamal Musiala also sidelined.
Reporting from BILD outlines a punishing November schedule that Díaz will miss, including domestic league clashes against Borussia Dortmund, Mainz, and FC Köln, alongside a DFB-Pokal second-round fixture against Magdeburg. In European competition, the winger will sit out the Champions League trip to Atlético Madrid on November 3 and the subsequent fixture against Lille, alongside Colombia’s international commitments in mid-November. The recovery timeline also makes it tight for subsequent fixtures against 1. FC Köln, Lille, and Hamburger SV.
Contrasting Outlets Document Differing Diagnostic Timelines
Coverage of the immediate aftermath highlighted a notable gap between initial pitchside assessments and formal medical findings. While LigaInsider noted that Kompany suggested on Wednesday night that the layoff might amount to less than a week if severe damage could be ruled out, subsequent imaging at the club’s medical department proved otherwise. The official club bulletin detailed the small muscle fiber tear, while BILD established the estimated four-to-six-week recovery timeline.
The injury halts a prolific period for Díaz, who netted three goals against Leipzig just days prior. Bayern resumes its domestic campaign against Freiburg on Sunday at 17:30 local time.
🚨 FC Bayern confirm Luis Díaz suffered a muscle tear in his left hamstring against Arsenal and will be sidelined for the time being. pic.twitter.com/qaIztAkyeL
More on Luis Díaz
🚨❌ BREAKING | Luis Díaz could be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a minor muscle tear in the back of his left thigh during FC Bayern’s Champions League match against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.That is the internal expectation at FC Bayern.He could miss at least Freiburg,… pic.twitter.com/9rFWSHN9ne
🚨🚨| OFFICIAL: Luis Díaz has suffered a left hamstring injury. He suffered the injury vs Arsenal and he will be out for 4-6 weeks.[@kerry_hau] pic.twitter.com/o94Facc3Bq
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