Michael Olise given seal of approval by Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben - 'I’m really pleased about that'

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Arjen Robben has heaped praise on Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise after his use of the legendary winger's trademark move, which Robben says he executes "brilliantly".

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Olise put on a masterclass in Bayern's 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, relentlessly toying with left-back Alvaro Carreras and assisting Harry Kane’s winner.

The London-born former Crystal Palace star has taken to life in the Bundesliga since a 2024 summer transfer to Bayern.

Olise has racked up 37 goals and 52 assists in 97 appearances for the Bavarians, doing so in a way familiar to Bayern fans: cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot. That means comparisons to Bayern legend Robben are inevitable.

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”I thought he was very good,” Robben told the Bayern Munich website before the second leg at Allianz Arena, which will be live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 19:00 on Wednesday, April 15.

”That’s obviously my position too. He was excellent. He played with energy and creativity and showed some great skill on the ball.”

On comparisons between the tendency to cut inside, Robben added: ”There are certainly some parallels.

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”But you always have to be careful with comparisons. I don’t really like them, because every player has his own playing style.

”Of course, there are certain things about us that are similar. But ultimately, he’s a different player to me. He just does it brilliantly. I’m really pleased about that and I can enjoy it too.”

For Vincent Kompany and Bayern, the prospect of claiming a treble - something not achieved since the 2019/20 season - is plausible.

They are cantering to another Bundesliga crown, while they face Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal.

Ahead of the Madrid second leg, Robben said: ”Bayern will try to play their own game. They don’t need to change their tactics. Their game plan has worked all season.

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”The back line must, of course, be solid; you have to attack as a compact unit. It’s about approaching the game with total passion and conviction. You have to be confident and not be afraid.”

On comparisons between the current Bayern team and Robben’s treble winning side in 2013, the retired winger said: ”It’s difficult to draw parallels. It’s 13 years now; football has evolved, particularly in terms of physicality and in other aspects as well.

”Back then, we were dominant for several years, including in Europe, reaching several Champions League finals and semi-finals.

”We went on to win the Champions League once. I think we could’ve won it at least once or twice more. We were a very good squad, with many players who stayed together for a long time.

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”We always had a core in the team made up of players who knew the club inside out – that ‘Mia san mia’ spirit, that feeling of playing for Bayern. It’s like a family.

”I think that’s the most important thing when you’re building something like that as a club. I see that in the current team as well.

”We’re not yet talking about that kind of dominance over several years but at least this season I think they’re very dominant.

”I’ve also said to a few friends – we’re obviously constantly talking about football – that for me, Bayern are the favourites in the Champions League.

”It’s the way they play. It’s very impressive. But that was already the case a few months ago when I was at the stadium against Brugge. That’s when I saw that everything is right and everything fits.”

'One of the best in the world one day'

Working under Kompany has evidently brought out the best in Olise, and the Bayern head coach feels his forward will establish himself as one of the greatest players in world football - should he continue this trajectory.

”We see him every day, and he’s performing at the highest level in the Champions League," Kompany said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"He will definitely be one of the best in the world one day; right now, he’s on the right path. Everything he does is right."

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Kompany added that silverware is the only thing missing from Olise's claims to be in the conversation among the very best players, but feels that will come with time.

"His level is already that of the best players in Europe," Kompany said. "But if I say now that he’s the best, people will ask how many titles he has won.

"He just has to keep going, like he has over the past 18 months. If he continues like this, you can see what he can become when you look at how far he already is.”

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