Uefa Champions League semi-finals: James Rodriguez poised to show Zinedine Zidane what Real Madrid are missing

Having rebooted his stuttering career at Bayern Munich, James Rodriguez has the chance to show Real Madrid exactly what they are missing when the sides meet in their Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday. James has shone since quitting Madrid last July at the end of three often difficult seasons at the club for a two-year loan deal in Munich. "Both games will be special for me," James told Spanish newspaper AS before the first leg at the Allianz Arena. "I was at Real for three years, I have friends there and good memories from that time. "I'm only thinking about my team now and how we can beat Real." The Colombian had an impressive first season in the Spanish capital in the wake of a starring role for his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as Madrid manager in January 2016 set him back, with the Frenchman not seeing James as a key part of his team. Yet, while Zidane seemed relieved to see James leave the Santiago Bernabeu, his Madrid teammates were not. Last November, Cristiano Ronaldo publically pointed to the playmaker's departure as a reason for Madrid's erratic form this season. In Munich, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder has rediscovered the form which saw him light up that World Cup and finish as the competition's top scorer. He came to Bavaria to work under Carlo Ancelotti, his first manager at Madrid. The Italian was dismissed in late September after a poor start to this season, but he has remained a popular choice under Ancelotti's successor Jupp Heynckes. Heynckes said the key to James's development has been having the freedom to take risks. "He realises that he's allowed to make mistakes and that it's not a reflection of his performance if he's taken off," the Bayern manager explained. Encouraged to roam the space behind top scorer Robert Lewandowski, James also gives Bayern another potentially lethal option from dead balls. ______________ Our Uefa Champions League coverage Ian Hawkey: Roma to face new Salah, Wenger's three steps to closure Jon Turner: Why Bayern Munich will go on to win the title John McAuley: Why Liverpool will go on to win the title Steve Luckings: Why Roma will go on to win the title Graham Caygill: Why Madrid will go on to win title ______________ Madrid's loss has been Bayern's gain. James was part of two Champions League-winning teams with Madrid. He did not play in either the 2016 or 2017 final, but he knows exactly how Madrid tick in Europe. "They use a different 'chip' in the Champions League than they do in the [Spanish] league," he told Munich-based newspaper TZ . "They manage to get the most out of themselves. They know what it takes to fight for this trophy year after year." Bayern have been knocked out of Europe by Spanish opposition in each of the last four seasons, including losing to Real in the quarter-finals last year. They will hope James can help end that run. He has been described by Heynckes as a "godsend", having scored six goals and provided twice as many assists so far this season. He announced his arrival last September by capping his first league start by scoring and creating a goal in a 3-0 win at Schalke. He did not look back, helping Bayern secure a sixth straight Bundesliga title. All that is missing is a statement performance in Europe - ideally against Madrid. His loan spell ends in June 2019, but he was crystal clear when German magazine Kicker asked about his future. "I'm staying here," James said. "My present is here and I'm very happy in Munich. I don't want to think about anything else." Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge describes the €13 million (Dh58.5m) they paid to take James on loan as a "very, very good transfer". "We're in no hurry. We have very clear conditions in terms of the contract," Rummenigge said. "We have a two-year loan deal and then a purchase option of 42 million euros that we will have to take up." James added: "Bayern is fantastic, I'm happy and I can imagine myself playing for many more years here."

Uefa Champions League semi-finals: James Rodriguez poised to show Zinedine Zidane what Real Madrid are missing

Colombian has shone since quitting Madrid last July at end of three often difficult seasons at club for two-year loan deal at Bayern Munich