Bayern Munich assist king Michael Olise remains Bundesliga benchmark after passing 50 appearances
A sensation since his arrival from Crystal Palace, Michael Olise made his 50th Bundesliga appearance in Bayern Munich’s 8-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg on Sunday - and marked the occasion in some style.
After setting up Luis Díaz for Bayern’s second of the game on the half-hour mark, Olise made it 3-1 with a magnificent solo effort before netting his second - and the Bavarians’ seventh - from close range.
He now has 21 goals and 24 assists in the Bundesliga since swapping South London for Munich last summer. Since comprehensive data collection began in 2004/05, the only Bayern players to register as many goal involvements in their first 50 league games for the club are Luca Toni, Arjen Robben and Olise’s prolific teammate Harry Kane.
Watch: All Olise's goals and assists this season prior to Matchday 16
The 24-year-old, who is yet to miss a fixture in Germany’s top flight, continues to set the benchmark as we approach the halfway point of the 2025/26 season.
He has been indispensable to Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, no more so than in victories over Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg. Doubling his team’s lead against BVB in October, the Frenchman was a constant menace down the right flank with his direct running and quick feet.
Then, against Freiburg on Matchday 11, Olise was involved in five of Bayern’s six goals in what was arguably his finest display since moving to Bavaria. His masterclass helped Germany’s record champions overturn a two-goal deficit and strengthen their early grip on the title the wrestled from Bayer Leverkusen’s grasp last term.
Watch: Unplayable Olise doing Robben things
His efforts against Wolfsburg moved him on to nine goals and as many assists this season, leaving him on course to surpass his tallies from last campaign (12 goals and 15 assists).
Little wonder, then, that the France international has drawn comparisons to former Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg maestro Kevin De Bruyne, who netted 10 goals and set up 19 more to help the Wolves finish runners-up in 2014/15.
"Michael’s numbers aren’t my priority, but I do expect him to get better and make strides," Kompany said back in August. "I’ve also seen the development of such talents as a player, perhaps comparable to [former Manchester City teammate] De Bruyne."
Watch: The best of Olise in 2025/26
The Belgian’s 19 assists in 2014/15 was a Bundesliga record until Olise’s former colleague Thomas Müller registered 21 in 2019/20. Müller’s record appears under serious threat this term, but Olise and Bayern have their eyes on much bigger prizes.
Kompany’s team not only have an 11-point lead over Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, they host RB Leipzig - who were swept aside by Olise & Co. back in August - in the DFB Cup quarter-finals, and sit second in the 36-team league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
With Olise continuing to wreak havoc among opposition defences, the 2025/26 campaign could be a very special one indeed for the dazzling winger and the record Bundesliga title-holders.
Related news
Kane chasing Lewandowski record
The Englishman is hot on the heels of the former Bayern forward's goalscoring record as Germany's record champions look to make even more history this term.
Why Bayern will beat Dortmund
Firing on all cylinders and in record-breaking form, Bayern can take another huge step towards the title in Der Klassiker...
Bayern: The future-proofing experts
The Bundesliga leaders have tied down key performers and made some strategic signings in recent months, with an eye on the coming years...