Luis Diaz pays tribute to Diogo Jota as ex-Liverpool star wins first Bayern Munich trophy
Luis Diaz paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota as he enjoyed a dream debut for Bayern Munich. Diaz, 28, scored in Bayern's 2-1 win against Stuttgart in the German Super Cup and lifted his first trophy with his new club.
The Colombian winger left Liverpool in July, as the Bundesliga champions stumped up £65.5million for his services. The transfer came just weeks after Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, both tragically died in a car crash.
In a statement confirming his departure, Diaz gave a special mention to Jota, who he played alongside for three-and-a-half years at Anfield. The 28-year-old had featured in three pre-season friendlies for Bayern but got his first state of competitive action on Saturday.
Selected to start the match in Stuttgart by Vincent Kompany, Diaz saw new team-mate Harry Kane break the deadlock after 18 minutes. Bayern were unable to build on their advantage in the first half and had to work hard to keep Stuttgart and bay in the second period, as Manuel Neuer rolled back the years.
Kompany kept faith in Diaz and he was rewarded with a goal in 77th minute. It was a rare header from the Colombia international, who got on the end of a cross from Serge Gnabry.
Diaz ran to celebrate his goal near the corner flag and sat down to perform a tribute to Jota. The former Liverpool star mimicked playing on a gaming console, one of Jota's favourite pastimes and his trademark goal celebration.
Stuttgart pulled a goal back in the third minute of stoppage through Jamie Leweling, but it was too little too late and Bayern lifted the trophy for the first time since 2022 - also the first time since it's been named after club legend Franz Beckenbauer. "That's how we wanted to start the season, with a good feeling and a title," Kane said post-match.
"It was a short summer break but we've worked hard. But the way we played today was good. It would've been nice if we'd scored one or two more goals, but we moved the ball around well and worked back well as a team."
Kompany added: 'The title is extra important because it's the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup - that'll always be special for Bayern. It's never easy in Stuttgart, but we came here and delivered.
"Obviously we would've liked a longer pre-season, but moaning doesn't help. We've spoken about that. We had the chance to start out with a title. That was our goal and we've achieved it. Today was a good first step."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Alexander Isak 'expected to MISS PFA awards' despite being nominated for top prize - as his self-imposed Newcastle exile to force Liverpool move continues
Wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is expected to miss the glitzy Professional Footballers' Association awards gala on Tuesday night, according to a report. The striker has been nominated for the biggest prize of the night, Players' Player of the Year, but he will reportedly miss the occasion as his self-imposed exile, in order to force through a move to Liverpool, continues. Isak was the subject of a £110million bid from Arne Slot 's side last month, which was promptly rejected by the Newcastle hierarchy, who are believed to value Isak at closer to £150m. The saga began at the beginning of the summer when the talented frontman initially reported an injury to keep him out of the Magpies' pre-season tour and the stand-off has continued since. Isak, who has been heavily criticised in the media and by Magpies fans, then missed Newcastle's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, a move that saw him fined by the club. During that clash, he was targeted by supporter chants where he was labelled as a 'greedy b*****d'. Despite the constant speculation surrounding his future, Isak hasn't publicly commented. The Swedish striker is nominated for the night's biggest prize but is yet to confirm his attendance According to a BBC report, the 25-year-old is yet to confirm his attendance with just over 24 hours until the event. The report goes on to claim that sources have indicated that the forward is not planning to be there. On Saturday, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was unsurprisingly probed on the issue of Isak's future at every opportunity and he provided an update after the Villa clash. 'We would like a resolution,' he said. 'I am talking about myself, I am sure the ownership, and the players. We need that clarity. You don't need any distraction. 'But I am not in control of that. I think only one person really (Isak) can control that.' He added: 'This season, any season, every season, is going to be hard enough. You don't need any kind of distraction to swerve your thoughts, to unbalance what we're doing. 'I hope it's resolved quickly, because it's news around us all the time. The players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that.' Of the fan chant aimed at Isak, Howe said: 'Whatever happens, I think the support has acted really well today because they supported the team, which is always my big ask, to support the team when we're playing. 'And they've done that unbelievably well in some difficult moments during the four years. And then if afterwards they want to say something, I think they're very free to do that.' Howe then reiterated his wish for Isak to return to the squad, and said: 'Nothing has changed, but the door is well and truly open. But yeah, he has to decide what he wants to do.' On Monday, Isak received the backing of his international manager, Jon Dahl Tomasson, who described him as 'an extremely professional player'. 'Situations like this are quite complex,' Tomasson told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen. 'These are extremely complex environments that the players operate in. 'I'm sure it will work out in the end, but you have to know the whole picture before you draw conclusions. That's always a good tip.'
The National
44 minutes ago
- The National
Ben Doak completes £25m Liverpool to Bournemouth transfer
The 19-year-old Scotland international has agreed a five-year contract at Vitality Stadium. Doak spent last season on loan at Championship club Middlesbrough, scoring three goals and registering seven assists in 24 appearances. Bournemouth are understood to have paid an initial £20m and could spend a further £5m in add-ons as they reinvest some of the funds received from a series of lucrative summer departures. Forward Dango Ouattara finalised a £42.5m move to Brentford at the weekend, while the south-coast club had already sold defenders Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively for a total of around £150m. Doak is the Cherries' fourth signing of the transfer window following the arrivals of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, left-back Adrien Truffert and centre-back Bafode Diakite for a combined sum in the region of £70m. He could make his debut during Saturday's top-flight fixture at home to Wolves. Doak had a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season (Owen Humphreys/PA) Doak, who has six Scotland caps, began his career with Celtic before moving to Merseyside for £600,000 in 2022. The teenager played 10 times for Liverpool, including three substitute appearances in the Premier League. He was not involved on Friday evening when Arne Slot's reigning champions defeated the Cherries 4-2 in the season-opener at Anfield.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ben Doak completes £25m Liverpool to Bournemouth transfer
Doak spent last season on loan at Championship club Middlesbrough, scoring three goals and registering seven assists in 24 appearances. Bournemouth are understood to have paid an initial £20m and could spend a further £5m in add-ons as they reinvest some of the funds received from a series of lucrative summer departures. Forward Dango Ouattara finalised a £42.5m move to Brentford at the weekend, while the south-coast club had already sold defenders Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively for a total of around £150m. Doak is the Cherries' fourth signing of the transfer window following the arrivals of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, left-back Adrien Truffert and centre-back Bafode Diakite for a combined sum in the region of £70m. He could make his debut during Saturday's top-flight fixture at home to Wolves. Doak had a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season (Owen Humphreys/PA) Doak, who has six Scotland caps, began his career with Celtic before moving to Merseyside for £600,000 in 2022. The teenager played 10 times for Liverpool, including three substitute appearances in the Premier League. He was not involved on Friday evening when Arne Slot's reigning champions defeated the Cherries 4-2 in the season-opener at Anfield.
