Bayern Munich fans had plenty to cheer about as the club kicked off the 2025/26 campaign with a string of exciting events both on and off the pitch. The arrival of Colombian winger Luis Díaz from Liverpool has injected a fresh sense of optimism into the squad, and his impact was felt immediately as Bayern clinched the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup with a 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart last weekend.
Díaz, who described his move from Liverpool to Bayern as a "gamble," sought advice from his former teammate Florian Wirtz before making the leap to the Bundesliga. "I’m very happy and pleased with how this weekend went," Díaz told ESPN after his competitive debut. "As you pointed out, it was my first official match, my first goal, and my first title. I dreamed of coming here to achieve great things and give my best. I try to enjoy football. It was a big gamble and I’m very grateful to the management for reaching out to me and trusting me. It’s always up to me to respond on the pitch and contribute with what I know how to do. To be at the disposal of the coaching staff. To start this way and be together with my teammates is incredible."
Despite only having been at the club for about two weeks, Díaz wasted no time settling in. He netted a crucial goal in the Supercup, partnering with Harry Kane—last season’s Bundesliga top scorer—to secure the win for Bayern. The chemistry between Díaz and Kane was evident, with both players expressing mutual admiration after the match. Their link-up play has already given fans a taste of what’s to come this season.
Off the pitch, Díaz has embraced Bavarian culture with open arms. At Bayern’s annual pre-season shoot with club partner Paulaner, he donned traditional lederhosen, played the accordion, and raised a glass of wheat beer. "I'm really happy to be part of this fantastic culture here in Munich," Díaz enthused at the event. Looking ahead to Oktoberfest, which runs from September 20 to October 5, he added, "Being able to experience the world's largest folk festival in person in this beautiful traditional clothing will be a great experience for my family and me."
But with the festivities on the horizon, Bayern’s focus remains firmly on the pitch. The club is preparing for a challenging campaign, with head coach Vincent Kompany leading the charge. Kompany, who guided Bayern to a dominant Bundesliga title last season—finishing 13 points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen—has made it clear that his squad is hungry for more silverware. "We're really up for the season," Kompany explained. "The guys are hungry. We want to show that on Friday."
Bayern’s first test comes in the Bundesliga opener at home against RB Leipzig on August 22. With the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League also on the agenda, the squad’s depth and versatility will be crucial. Díaz’s ability to adapt quickly, both culturally and tactically, has already impressed his teammates and coaches.
The Supercup win over Stuttgart was more than just a trophy—it was a statement. The match saw both teams flying, with tensions heightened by the ongoing transfer saga involving Nick Woltemade. Ultimately, Bayern’s quality shone through, with Manuel Neuer delivering key saves and the attack clicking into gear. The victory provided a confidence boost as the club eyes further success in domestic and European competitions.
Elsewhere, Bayern’s transfer dealings have made headlines across Europe. Benjamin Pavard, a former Bayern defender now at Inter Milan, is being linked with a summer move to FC Barcelona. While the deal could be complicated by Barcelona’s financial situation, Pavard’s representatives reportedly consider the Catalan giants a potential landing spot. Meanwhile, Napoli is eyeing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee—himself a former Bayern prospect—as a replacement for the injured Romelu Lukaku. Transfer rumors continue to swirl, keeping fans and pundits on their toes.
In another high-profile move, Kingsley Coman’s transfer to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has sparked debate. French football legend Sylvian Wiltord came to Coman’s defense, telling Sport1, "Let’s be honest: Who would turn down such a lucrative offer? King spent 10 years in Munich. That’s a rarity in today’s football world. He won everything with FC Bayern. The move to Saudi Arabia is understandable. It’s the right time. You only live once and he might never have gotten a second chance." Wiltord also noted the growing competitiveness of the Saudi league, highlighting the influx of talented players.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain is seeking a hefty €50 million fee for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is attracting interest from Manchester City and Manchester United. PSG’s willingness to sell comes after the arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille, signaling a significant shake-up between the posts in Paris.
Back in the Bundesliga, Bayern’s rivals are facing their own challenges. Everton, who signed Adam Aznou from Bayern earlier this summer, are dealing with an injury crisis that has left them depleted in defense. Aznou’s absence, along with other key injuries, forced Everton manager David Moyes to shuffle his lineup in recent matches. "It certainly didn’t help. We have lost a couple of important players for us but we’re not using it as any excuses. We’ve got lots of games to come. Other teams will have injuries at other times of the season. Unfortunately, we picked up a couple at the moment," Moyes told Sky Sports.
As Bayern Munich prepares to defend its Bundesliga crown, the club’s supporters have every reason to feel optimistic. The combination of fresh signings, experienced leaders, and a dynamic coaching staff has set the stage for another memorable season. With Díaz already making headlines on and off the pitch, and the squad’s focus unwavering, the excitement in Munich is palpable.
With the Supercup safely secured and the Bundesliga opener just around the corner, all eyes will be on Bayern as they aim to build on their early momentum. The journey has just begun, but the signs point to another thrilling ride for the record champions and their fans.
