Former England manager Fabio Capello has offered a unique assessment of Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, comparing the French international's style of goals to those of Napoli's Matteo Politano. The comments came during Sky Italia's coverage of Bayern Munich's 5-4 pre-season defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, where Olise found the net. Capello made the remarks as other pundits discussed a perceived resemblance between Olise and Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero.
According to a report in the Corriere dello Sport, Capello disagreed with the Del Piero comparison, stating, "Olise's goals resemble those of Politano more than those of Del Piero. With Napoli, he arrives from the left and shoots. Alex did it from the right. Olise's are Politano-style goals." The comparison serves as a notable compliment for Politano, who has scored five Serie A goals over the past two seasons, though it redirects the focus from a global icon to a current Serie A attacker.
The discussion followed a high-profile friendly in which Olise, Bayern's marquee signing from Crystal Palace this summer, was identified as a key threat by PSG and duly delivered with a goal. His performance under the global spotlight has naturally sparked analysis and comparisons from observers across the football world. Capello's specific take highlights the nuanced differences in playing styles between left-footed attackers who cut inside from the right, like Olise, and classic right-footed schemers like Del Piero.
For Olise, the early pre-season goal and the ensuing debate signal a positive start to his career in Germany, as he seeks to establish himself following his move. The 22-year-old winger joined the Bundesliga giants for a reported fee in the region of €60 million, bringing with him a reputation for creativity and spectacular finishing developed during his time in the Premier League. His adaptation under new coach Vincent Kompany will be crucial for a Bayern side looking to reclaim the Bundesliga title.
Capello's analysis, while perhaps surprising to some, underscores the detailed scrutiny top players face and the varied interpretations of their attributes. It also brings Politano's efficient, if less prolific, role at Napoli into a broader conversation. As the season approaches, Olise will have ample opportunity to carve out his own distinct identity on the pitch, beyond any comparative labels from pundits.
