Luis Díaz makes UEFA team of week
- UEFA put Luis Díaz in its official Champions League Team of the Week on April 30 after Bayern’s 5-4 semi-final loss at Paris. - The key detail was Díaz’s profile beyond the goal — UEFA highlighted his 11 carries of 10 metres or more, the most this week. - It matters because all four semi-finalists made the XI, and Bayern still head home alive before the May 6 return leg.
Luis Díaz did not come out of Bayern’s trip to Paris with the result he wanted. He did come out with one of UEFA’s clearest individual nods. On Thursday, April 30, UEFA named him to its official Champions League Team of the Week for the semi-final first legs after Bayern’s wild 5-4 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. That matters because this was not a consolation prize list — it was UEFA’s own all-star XI from the biggest two games of the week. (uefa.com) ### What exactly did UEFA pick him for? UEFA’s technical observers did not just reward the finish. They singled out Díaz for “a wonderful goal” and for how dangerous he was carrying the ball, noting that he produced 11 carries of 10 metres or more — the highest total of the week across the two semi-finals. In other words, the selection was about sustained threat, not one highlight clip. (uefa.com) ### What happened in Paris? The match was chaos in the best and worst way for Bayern. Harry Kane put Bayern ahead from the spot, Paris hit back, and the game kept swinging until PSG led 5-3. Díaz then scored in the 68th minute to cut it to (uefa.com)le semi-finals, and the scoreline backs that up. (uefa.com) ### Why does the goal matter beyond the score sheet? Because 5-4 feels very different from 5-3. Bayern still lost, but Díaz’s goal changed the emotional temperature of the tie. A one-goal deficit means the second leg in Munich is a straig(uefa.com)w enough that the tie still feels alive. (uefa.com) ### Was he the only Bayern player in the XI? No — and that is part of the story. UEFA’s Team of the Week included Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano and winger Michael Olise alongside Díaz. Paris had four players in the XI, Arsenal had two, (uefa.com)rformances in it. (uefa.com) ### Who else made the team? The XI was David Raya; Dayot Upamecano, Marc Pubill, Gabriel; Michael Olise, Vitinha, João Neves; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, and Luis Díaz. That mix tells you where the week’s ener(uefa.com)l to ignore. (uefa.com) ### Why is this notable for Díaz specifically? Because these UEFA selections act like a quick snapshot of who bent the biggest games. Díaz was already central to Bayern’s attack in Paris — he won the penalty that Kane converted, then scored late himself. Making the official XI turns that into formal recognition from the competition, not just fan reaction or club hype. (uefa.com) ### What happens next? Bayern host Paris in the second leg on Wednesday, May 6, with the first leg sitting at 5-4 to PSG. Arsenal host Atlético a day earlier after their 1-1 draw in Madrid. So Díaz’s inclusion lands at exactly the right moment — just before Bayern try to turn a brilliant individual night into a comeback that actually changes the bracket. (uefa.com) ### Bottom line? Díaz made UEFA’s team because he was not just productive — he was relentless. Bayern lost the night, but Díaz played like someone who can still flip the tie next week.
