Former England manager Fabio Capello has offered a unique comparison for Bayern Munich's French international Michael Olise, likening the winger's style of goals more to Napoli's Matteo Politano than to Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero. The comments were made on Italian broadcaster Sky Sports during coverage of Bayern Munich's 5-4 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, as reported by Corriere dello Sport. Capello made the remarks while analysts were discussing Olise's performance and a perceived resemblance to Del Piero.
Olise, who scored in the epic encounter at the Parc des Princes, was identified as a key threat by the PSG defense. Capello, however, drew a technical distinction. "Olise's goals resemble those of (Matteo) Politano more than those of Del Piero," Capello said. "With Napoli, he arrives from the left and shoots. Alex, on the other hand, did it from the right. Olise's goals are Politano-style goals." The comparison is notably flattering for the Napoli forward, who has scored only five times in Serie A over the past two seasons.
The 22-year-old Olise joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace last summer in a deal worth a reported £50 million. He has made a positive start to his career in Germany, contributing crucial goals and creativity as Bayern challenges for the Bundesliga title and seeks progress in the Champions League. His finish against PSG showcased the cutting edge and composure that made him one of the most sought-after young attackers in European football.
Capello's analysis highlights the specific attacking profile of Olise, who predominantly operates from the right wing, cutting inside onto his stronger left foot to shoot—a trait shared with Politano. This differs from Del Piero, who was renowned for his play from the left or as a second striker and for his distinctive curving shots into the far top corner, known as the "Del Piero zone." The former Juventus and England manager's comments suggest he sees Olise's goal-scoring method as more direct and less flamboyant than the Italian icon's.
For Olise, continuing his development at a club of Bayern's stature is the immediate priority. The winger will be looking to build on his promising first season and secure a more regular place in the French national team setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As for the transfer implications of such high-profile praise, it merely reinforces Olise's status as a key asset for Bayern, with the Bundesliga giants unlikely to consider any move for the player they only recently acquired.
