Moussa Diaby is back at Bayer Leverkusen after three years away. The 27-year-old French winger returned on deadline day this summer and has already made his first appearance in the 4-0 home win against Union Berlin on Matchday 2.

Diaby offered insights into his decision in an interview. "Coming back here is always a pleasure because I’ve always had the support of everyone, whether it was the fans or the people at the club," Diaby said. The player was originally signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and made 172 competitive appearances for Leverkusen before his move to Aston Villa in 2023. After a brief spell with Al-Ittihad, he has now found his way back to the Rhineland.

The Special Moments

Asked for his fondest memories, Diaby pointed to the European nights. "The best ones that came back to me when I stepped onto the pitch were the European nights, with the atmosphere and all the fans in the stadium creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing us during the games," the international said. This special connection to the BayArena and its supporters was a key factor in his return.

Reunion with an Old Companion

Upon his arrival, Diaby was greeted by a familiar face. Edmond Tapsoba, who joined Bayer Leverkusen in the same year as Diaby in 2020 and has since risen to become team captain, was among the first to welcome him back. The squad Diaby returned to has transformed dramatically in his absence. After his departure in 2023, Bayer Leverkusen became German champions, remained unbeaten for an entire season, and nearly won every competition.

Current Situation and Outlook

Diaby returns to a team currently sitting sixth in the Bundesliga table. After three matchdays, Leverkusen have four points from one win, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 8 scored and 5 conceded. Recent form over the last five games shows a positive trend with three wins, one draw, and one loss (DWLWW). The most recent match ended in a 2-2 draw away at FC Augsburg last Saturday, with Patrik Schick scoring the equaliser in the 89th minute.

Diaby and his teammates are next in action this coming Sunday. Bayer Leverkusen will host 12th-placed RB Leipzig at the BayArena. The current injury list includes Montrell Culbreath, Nathan Tella, and Kennet Eichhorn.

For Moussa Diaby, the task now is to integrate into the successful squad and contribute to the club's continued course. His contract runs for several years.