James Rodriguez at Bayern Munich is a win-win situation for player and club

Colombian attacking midfielder has rebooted his career following frustrating period at Real Madrid, which has in turn been of great benefit to Bundesliga giants

James Rodriguez, right, has found a consistency in Bayern's attack that only surfaced sporadically while exiled out on the wing at the Bernabeu. Michaela Rehle / Reuters

Unloved at Real Madrid, yet declared a "godsend" by Bayern Munich, James Rodriguez has rebooted his stuttering career in Bavaria and is set to shine again in the Uefa Champions League.

In his preferred attacking midfield role, Rodriguez is set to face Besiktas on Tuesday in the first leg of the last-16 tie at Munich's Allianz Arena.

In Germany, the Colombia international has rediscovered the form which saw him light up the 2014 World Cup and finish as the competition's top scorer.

Working alongside veteran manager Jupp Heynckes has rejuvenated the 26-year-old player after three challenging seasons at Madrid, where he fell out of favour under Zinedine Zidane.

Madrid paid Monaco €75 million (Dh340.8m) in the wake of his dazzling displays in Brazil four years ago, but the Spanish giants shipped him out to Bayern on a two-year loan deal last June.

It is a move that will actually cost Bayern only €13m over two seasons, and one that is reaping rich rewards with Rodriguez the provider of six assists and four goals in 16 Bundesliga games.

He has found a consistency in Bayern's attack that only surfaced sporadically while exiled out on the wing at the Bernabeu. His fortunes took off in Munich last October when Heynckes replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

"He's playing in a position he never played at Real Madrid," Heynckes said. "In Spain, he was playing on the left wing or right wing, but I'm playing him in an attacking middle position. Here he is like a fish in water."

Rodriguez was instrumental when Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in December to avenge the 3-0 away defeat which cost Ancelotti his job.

He wreaked havoc alongside Corentin Tolisso in the centre of the park and set up the Frenchman's second goal, although Bayern still finished second in the group.

Rodriguez has also shone in Bundesliga wins against Bayern's main rivals - scoring against RB Leipzig, Schalke and Leverkusen while providing two assists against Borussia Dortmund.

He scored a superb free-kick in the 3-1 win at Leverkusen in January and capped a man-of-the-match performance with a goal in a 2-0 victory at Mainz at the start of the month.

"His development has been outstanding," Bayern defender Mats Hummels said. "He is always a weapon 25 metres in front of goal. He has a brutally good left foot."

Rodriguez is Heynckes's favourite midfielder, starting 12 of his 13 league games since October, and the 72-year-old manager - a Spanish speaker himself after managing Madrid - can also take some credit for helping Rodriguez settle into his new surroundings.

"In his current form and how he has integrated, James is a godsend for Bayern Munich," Heynckes said. "At Real Madrid he wasn’t getting the game time that a player of his calibre deserves.

"You get the feeling he is happy in Munich, because it's not easy when someone comes into a new country, culture, language and way of life. He is playing well, but he can play better and I have told him personally how I think he can improve."

Heynckes has made it clear that he wants Rodriguez to roam the space behind Bayern's top scorer Robert Lewandowski, encouraged to shoot more and 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," Heynckes added.

______________

Read more

Bayern Munich v Besiktas: Heynckes and Gunes in a battle of the veteran managers

Richard Jolly on why Conte should pick Giroud ahead of Morata against Barcelona

Advantage Ronaldo but Neymar warns their Champions League tie not over yet

Jurgen Klopp lauds Sadio Mane for Liverpool hat-trick in thrashing of Porto

______________

The Colombian's hard work in training and on the pitch has impressed Bayern's manager. "James is generous and many people do not see how much he runs, how much he saves himself for the defensive work in the service of the team," Heynckes said.

Bayern are 19 points clear in the Bundesliga and have won 22 of their 23 games since Heynckes took charge.

Now Rodriguez sees the Bavarian giants as one of the top teams in Europe. "Bayern is my favourite to win the Champions League," the Colombian said. "We have a super team with top players. Why shouldn’t we win the Champions League?"

And there is no talk of returning to Madrid. "Bayern is fantastic, I'm happy and I can imagine myself playing for many more years here," he added.