James Rodriguez ‘depressed’ after being sent to Bayern Munich and flopping at Real Madrid, reveals Jupp Heynckes
Colombian is on a two-year-loan deal at the German giants, and is set to feature for them against his parent club on Wednesday
JAMES RODRIGUEZ was "depressed" after flopping at Real Madrid, says Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes.
The Colombian is on a two-year loan at the German club and featured against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.
Under Uefa rules, a player is not banned from playing against his parent club.
Bayern head coach Heynckes has opened up on how Rodriguez is finally settling in at the Bundesliga club.
Speaking ahead of his side's European heavyweights clash, he said: "He was a little depressed, I took care of him, I had lots of talks with him, and step by step he found confidence.
"He is more relaxed within the team.
"Our fans here, when they see him play football, they enjoy it. Above all he is a player who has fantasy, has an overview.
"He is more open-minded and gives the impression he feels well and has settled in Munich.
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"I think this is most fundamental."
Rodriguez was signed by Real Madrid after a superb 2014 World Cup with Colombia.
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But he was behind the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco in the Bernabeu pecking order, and after just 22 La Liga appearances in 2016-17, was sent out to Germany.
After a slow start to life Bayern, things have started to click for the 26-year-old, and he has six goals and ten assists in his 21 appearances to date.