Sanches, 21 sealed Bayern's 2-0 victory at Benfica on Wednesday with a goal against his former club, which he spent a decade at before his £27.5m transfer in 2016.
His arrival as the European Golden Boy and European champions brought much optimism but the midfielder struggled to earn a regular starting berth and endured a horror loan spell at Swansea City last season.
However, Bayern coach Kovac restored Sanches to the side for Wednesday's match, and following the victory in Portugal he lauded the midfielder to have the same qualities as Germany icon and 1991 Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus.
"It's true that people fly off him left and right - just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus.
"I'm delighted for Renato - I said yesterday that he was excellent in pre-season and it wouldn't be long before he plays."
Matthaus himself, who captained Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and featured as five different global showpieces went on to reserve praise for the technically gifted player.
"These are the kind of stories that football writes. He looks in shape and crowned his performance with a goal."