James Rodriguez who has struggled for form and fitness this season has been targeted by fans and pundits alike for his mediocre performances this season. Having been left out of Madrid’s last two games, the €80m man made a return to Zidane’s starting line-up in the Champions League clash against Roma.
The Colombian struggled initially in the first half losing possession plenty of times but he made a crucial contribution in the second half scoring the second goal in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at the Bernabeu.
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James who was whistled at the first half said he understood the fans’ frustrations. Speaking to Spanish TV station Antena 3, James said:
"There are days when things do not go for you, but we know that anything can happen in football,I believe all the fans want to see nice football and when things do not go for you, they have the right to whistle. We are at a club which makes demands of you every day, and we players are here for this."
James also spoke about his coach Zidane and said that he was working hard on the training pitch:
"[Zidane] looks after us all, I try to improve every day, so that things go well. You must keep training strongly every day. Every time you go out to play you must give everything, even though some days things do not go for you."
Cristiano Ronaldo was the other goal scorer last night. Roma had plenty of chances themselves and Salah and Dzeko were at fault for not making the most of the glorious opportunities they had.
"The result was fair," James said. "Italian teams are strong at the back; that is why it was difficult for us at times.”
Real Madrid beat Roma 2-0 at home to secure a 4-0 aggregate victory and move into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Zidane says he has no plans to sell Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in stunning form in the last two matches scoring 5 and Zidane said he did not care if the fans jeered Cristiano or not but he definitely wanted him at Real Madrid.
"The fans are very important for us. And the fans know that they are important. When they don't see the things they want they whistle a little. That is part of football. I was a player and you can't make a big deal over that.
"I don't [think Ronaldo should be sold]. And I am the coach and I like Cristiano.
"The jeers, I also got them when I played, we all did. It is not about the player. It is about the fans demanding more from their players. I think [the whistling] is the best thing for the players because it helps them improve.”
