Real a different beast in Europe
SPANIARDS: STEP THINGS UP IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Bayern need to be wary of Los Blancos, who knocked them out last season.
They may sit third in the Spanish league, but when it comes to the Champions League holders Real Madrid simply engage a special “chip”, says James Rodriguez.
On loan at Bayern Munich, who host his ex-club Real in the firstleg of the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, James says the Spanish giants’ strength is knowing how to conjure up their best performances in Europe.
“They use a different ‘chip’ in the Champions League than they do in the (Spanish) league and manage to get the most out of themselves,” James told Munich-based newspaper TZ.
“They know what it takes to fight for this trophy year after year, after all they have made history in the European Cup and the Champions League.”
After three mediocre years at the Bernabeu, where he failed to regularly force his way into the team, James has rediscovered his best form this season amid a twoyear loan deal at Bayern.
Real could win the Champions League title for the third straight season – and the 13th time in the club’s history – in the Kiev final on May 26.
Bayern have every reason to be wary of Los Blancos, who knocked them out of the Champions League last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last three matches against the Bundesliga giants including two in each of his last two games at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
The Portuguese superstar has already scored 15 goals in the Champions League this season.
“He is a goal machine and has proven it time and time again,” said Colombia star James, the top-scorer at the 2014 World Cup.
“We need to produce a top team performance so he doesn’t have his best day.
“You have to take care of him, but Real Madrid is not just Ronaldo.” – AFP