PSG came up with a smart idea no other team thought of to completely control Michael Olise.
Luis Enrique used a clever tactic that fans think was designed to keep Bayern winger Michael Olise quiet during Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg.
The current European champions made it to their second Champions League final in two years by winning 6–5 on aggregate against Vincent Kompany’s Bayern at the Allianz Arena.
After last week’s exciting 5–4 win for PSG in Paris, fans were hoping for another thrilling match, but this second leg was much more calm and controlled.
PSG scored early—just three minutes in—when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia passed to Ousmane Dembélé, who didn’t miss and smashed the ball into the top of Manuel Neuer’s net.
Bayern tried to break through PSG’s strong defense, but Olise, who’s been in great form this season, had a tough time making an impact, even though Nuno Mendes from PSG was on a yellow card for much of the game.
Harry Kane scored for Bayern in injury time of the second half, but it was PSG’s night in Bavaria.
Olise, who has scored 21 goals and made 30 assists in 49 games this season, seemed held back, and some fans noticed a smart tactic PSG used to stop him.
PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov often kicked the ball out of play from goal kicks in a way that helped PSG overload the right side of the field. This created more players around Olise’s area after the throw-in, making it harder for him to find space.
One fan said, “Safonov was told to kick the ball super hard towards Olise’s area so it basically became a throw-in into the box. Then PSG players crowded that side, making it really hard for Olise. Honestly, this is brilliant! It reminds me of tactics from American football like in the show Eyeshield 21—kicking to a certain spot so your team is ready to swarm the opponent.”
Another fan added, “Safonov always kicked goal kicks that led to Bayern throw-ins on Olise’s side. This forces both teams to pack the right flank, leaving Olise outnumbered and stuck in tight spots. That’s why he had a tough game.”
A third commented, “The plan for Safonov to kick it out for a line-out every 6 meters—only Lucho knows what he’s thinking! You can do whatever you want, haha.”
PSG will face Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.