Bayern Munich’s iconic wide pairing of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry (fondly called Robbery) defined an era with inverted runs, lethal one-on-one finishing, and a football chemistry that masked years of tactical churn. Replacing that identity was never going to be literal since styles evolve.
However, fresh summer signing from Liverpool, Luis Díaz, offers a modern, statistically credible version of what made “Robbery” devastating: pace + take-ons + cutting inside to create high-xG chances for himself and others.
Here’s why the fit isn’t romantic nostalgia but a tactical sense backed by the numbers.
Note: All stats and data are tallied and verified from statmuse.com and fbref.com.
How Luis Díaz and Bayern may have finally replaced the “Robbery” legacy
First, the profile: Díaz is an explosive, right-footed attacker who has spent recent seasons operating primarily from the left channel, the same space Ribéry exploited, and averaging elite take-ons and attacking involvement.
In the 2024/25 season, he produced a strong output in goals and assists (around 13 goals and 5 assists in a full league season), while his per-90 scouting profile shows nearly 4.35 take-on attempts with ~2 successful take-ons per 90 and a high share of touches in the attacking third. Those underlying output and carry metrics are the raw material a Bayern front three can convert into consistent chance volume.
Tactically, Bayern’s modern attack over the past few seasons has emphasized a roaring central striker (Harry Kane’s presence), dynamic fullback overlaps, and wide players who either stretch play or cut off the left. Díaz’s data show he tilts toward the latter: high touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive carries/receives that end in the final third.
That makes him an ideal inverted-left option, as he draws defenders centrally when he cuts in on his right foot, creating space for the overlapping full-back and simultaneously increasing dangerous shot locations for himself and cross/through-ball opportunities for the striker.`1
Comparing Luis Díaz’s stats with previous Bayern wingers
Over the past few years, Bayern has rotated between Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman to fill the wide roles. While each brought individual strengths, none offered the complementary balance that Díaz and now Michael Olise on the flanks provide together.
Here’s a quick statistical comparison (per 90, 2023/24 Bundesliga season averages):
| Metric | Leroy Sané | Serge Gnabry | Kingsley Coman | Luis Díaz | Michael Olise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals + Assists/90 | 0.47 | 0.42 | 0.38 | 0.55 | 0.60 |
| Take-ons attempted/90 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 5.2 | 4.35 | 3.20 |
| Successful take-ons/90 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.5 | ~2.0 | ~1.7 |
| Progressive carries/90 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 4.2 |
| Key passes/90 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.3 |
The contrast clearly shows:
- Gnabry was more of a finisher than a chance-creator, limiting his synergy with Kane.
- Coman provided dribbling volume but less efficiency in the final output.
- By comparison, Díaz + Olise combine both high dribbling output and chance creation, with Díaz penetrating from the left, Olise supplying creativity from the right.
This explains why Bayern’s wing play looks transformed in 2025/26: not just individuals producing moments, but a duo providing systemic balance.
Díaz + Olise makes the icing on the cake
Robbery’s chemistry was unique and required two superlative players on opposite flanks; Díaz is one player, not a duo. But in Olise, Bayern may have found the other half of a new partnership. The French-English winger brings composure, vision, and creativity from the right, complementing Díaz’s directness and penetration from the left.
Recent matches highlight the impact. In the 4-0 Bundesliga win against Werder Bremen, Díaz’s intelligent inside movements helped free Kane for a brace, while his pressing and an incisive assist underlined his all-round contribution.
In the Champions League group stage clash against Pafos, Olise scored from the righ,t and Díaz’s direct dribbles created multiple entries into the box, showcasing how their wide combination stretched defenses until they broke.
Across this flawless start, FotMob and Bundesliga reports have already labeled the pair “Bayern’s most complete wing duo since Robben and Ribéry,” an endorsement based not on hype but visible impact.
Most importantly, as of today, Bayern has not drawn or lost a single game in 2025/26, winning all of them across competitions. That perfect record is definitely not a coincidence, as the wing duo has been at the heart of Bayern’s attacking dominance.
Díaz and Olise are building up new Bavarian hopes
Viewed strictly on numbers and role-fit, Luis Díaz brings the exact mix Bayern has sought: elite one-on-one ability, a high involvement in the attacking third, and the right-footed inside-cut that recreates the most dangerous elements of Robben’s game within a modern attacking template.
With Michael Olise providing the balance on the right, Bayern finally seems to have solved a problem that lingered for nearly half a decade after “Robbery.” If the tactical scaffolding holds, this duo could be the missing piece that closes Bayern’s prolonged quest to recapture that wide cutting edge for the modern footballing era.
