Champions League: Kompany gives Díaz a short vacation: double suspension makes it possible

“He won’t be here for a few days,” Kompany reported on Monday after the final training session for the Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon, in which the 28-year-old Díaz was not on the pitch.

The winger was banned from the game at Paris Saint-Germain for the last time on Tuesday (6:45 p.m./DAZN) because of his red card. The winger also saw his fifth yellow card of this Bundesliga season in the 5-0 win against VfB Stuttgart last Saturday. This means he will also have to miss the record champions’ home game against Mainz next Sunday.

“That’s just common sense.”

Kompany reacted to this development. “Lucho has always played everything, not just for us, but also for the national team. He also has the longest trips. People are always talking about more and more games. I think it’s just sensible now that he’s away for a few days and then comes back 100 percent mentally and physically,” explained the Bayern coach. “What’s important to me is that he’s with his family now.”

Kompany believes that the time off now could pay off positively in the second half of the season. But Díaz is not going on an early or even extended winter break, as Kompany emphasized in the press conference before the Sporting game. “Christmas presents are part of Christmas,” said the Belgian with a laugh, looking ahead to the last game of the year against 1. FC Heidenheim on December 21st.

“He’ll be there again,” the coach made it clear. After the 25th game of the season, all Bayern professionals will go on a short Christmas break until training starts on January 3rd.