One of the key elements of a winning team is squad depth. When looking at the teams that have won the Champions League in recent years, which is Bayern's ultimate goal every season, their squad is so deep, almost to the point where there is a starting XI and a backup XI. Teams like PSG, Real Madrid, and Manchester City have all had incredibly deep squads to help carry them to the Champions League title, and even though Bayern have a deep squad in some areas, it is still lacking in others, most notably the attack.
Bayern have a loaded attack in their starting XI but when you look past the starters, the squad is lacking in backup depth, missing the kind of players that can come on off the bench and do a job or can come in and start a game here and there to give the starters a rest, and it has gotten so obvious, that even the players themselves are welcoming more competition in the squad.
While speaking to the media this week, Luis Diaz was asked about the current lack of backup left-wing, and he gave an answer not many players nowadays would give: he wishes for one. The Columbian went on to say:
"Of course, I always want to play; I love playing. That’s normal. But if there’s someone who can help out in my position, they’re more than welcome. It helps a lot when things aren’t going well - then you have a teammate there to help you, and you can rotate between each other. That’s very important. I would have liked that, but well, it didn’t happen. We’re good enough as we are too. Now we have a break after this game, then the international matches are coming up… and this break will also help us mentally prepare for what’s still to come this season, and it will be good."Luis Diaz
The Columbian is more than welcome to competition, why won't Bayern listen?
The lack of depth has been a complaint from fans for the last couple of seasons, and it is obvious to understand why. Players like Kane, Olise, and Diaz play pretty much every game, and by the time the big games roll around at the end of the season, they will no doubt be tired compared to their opposition, as we saw with PSG in the Champions League last season. PSG are able to rest and rotate their star players, keeping them fresh and fit, giving them a huge upper hand, and despite the summer reinforcements, Bayern could still go for some more depth.
Bringing in Saibari and Nathaniel Brown in the summer was a good start, as it gives Vincent Kompany the chance to rest players like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane, with both players able to occupy the number 10 role, and Saibari able to play as a striker, but that still leaves Diaz somewhat out to dry on the left-wing and needed in almost every game. The Columbian played a total of 4,060 minutes across all competitions last season, and that has been showing in his form to start the new season.
Diaz has only managed one goal through six games so far this season, and while some may argue he needs the minutes to find his form again, he could also benefit from a rest here and there to keep him fresh for the long season.
Bayern had a number of options they could have gone for in the summer, with players like Marcus Rashford and even Real Madrid's Rodrygo as options, but they opted for just the two summer signings, which could come back to haunt them should they come up against a team like PSG deep into the Champions League again this season.
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