After their defeat against PSG at the Parc des Princes (5-4), Vincent Kompany's men return to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday to attempt an upset in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League. In this Bayern in search of a European coronation, a man embodies both raw talent and the energy of renewal: Michael Olise, 24 years old, brilliant French left-hander and already author of more than 20 goals this season.
Published on: 05/06/2026 - 07:13
He does not yet have the aura of a Ribéry or a Robben, but the supporters of the "Rekordmeister" have already understood that the right winger of Bayern Munich was not a player like the others. Michael Olise, a 24-year-old Franco-British born in London who played for Reading and Crystal Palace before winning in Munich, will be the man to watch in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League on Wednesday May 6.
It was the Blue who carried the Bavarian comeback effort in the first leg and therefore, mechanically, on him rest the hopes of a turnaround in the situation to steal a ticket for the Budapest final right under the noses of the Parisians.
The mission is colossal. Luis Enrique's PSG showed formidable efficiency at the Parc des Princes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, unstoppable in C1, then Joao Neves, had crucified the Bavarian defense.
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In this offensive chaos, Olise knew how to keep a cool head. In the 41st minute, with Bayern trailing 2-1, the left-hander launched into a solitary rush towards the Parisian area before sending an unstoppable ball into Safonov's goal. His 20th goal of the season (for 20 assists, a record), allowed the Bavarians to get back on track.
What followed was nightmarish. A penalty just before the break converted by Ousmane Dembélé (45+5'), then a double salvo from Kvaratskhelia and the PSG Ballon d'Or at the start of the second half (56', 58') seemed to extinguish the last Bavarian embers. But the Blue Dayot Upamecano then the Colombian international Luis Díaz brought the Bavarians to a single goal gap.
Kompany back, Bayern in confidence
Olise is a valuable element of coach Vincent Kompany's system this season. Capable of playing as a right winger by coming in on his left foot, or of switching with a midfielder to destabilize opposing defenses, he participates in the Bavarians' ultra-offensive play, carried forward.
“Michael Olise, today, is dazzling us,” assured former French footballer Luis Fernandez to our colleagues at beIN Sports, going so far as to compare him to the Spanish nugget Lamine Yamal. "I am admiring, not just when they have the ball at their feet but also when they don't: they make efforts to find their feet, to help their partners. Michael Olise is taking on another dimension, and, (...) we are going to see it with this World Cup which is coming: he can explode everyone", continued the former PSG coach, ravely.
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Absent from the bench in the first leg due to suspension, Vincent Kompany will be there on Wednesday evening at the Allianz Arena. His return, to a stadium which has not lost the habit of upsetting European destinies, is seen as a strong signal. “The return match is at home and we must win it: we are used to it,” he warned from the Parisian stands.
Michael Olise has not yet played in a Champions League final. He also doesn't have the European track record of great players. On Wednesday he will perhaps have the opportunity to write the first chapter of this story.
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