James Rodriguez returns to Portugal as Bayern Munich begin their tilt at UEFA Champions League glory away to Benfica in Group E on Wednesday (kick-off: 9pm CEST/8pm BST/3pm ET).
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James made a name for himself in the Iberian Peninsula with Porto, before moving to Monaco and later winning back-to-back Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
The Colombia international reached the semi-finals of the competition with Bayern in 2017/18, and is determined to go one better in his second season on loan at the club.
He started Saturday's 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on the bench, but came on to score his side's third goal and is pushing for a start in Lisbon. Niko Kovac, making his European bow as a coach, has a number of injury worries after the victory against Leverkusen following the long-term losses of Corentin Tolisso and Rafinha.
And with this game being the second of seven in the space of 22 days, there could be some rotation.
Like Bayern, Benfica have also had an unbeaten start to their season and currently sit top of the Portuguese Liga NOS.
Last season’s domestic runners-up had to come through two rounds of qualifying to reach the Champions League group stage, seeing off Fenerbahce and PAOK Saloniki along the way. The Eagles come into this tie with the German champions on the back of a 2-1 win over Rio Ave in the Portuguese league cup.
Central midfielder Pizzi and winger Eduardo Salvio are the ones to watch in this team with the pair providing over half the club’s 17 goals this season.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Haris Seferovic leads the line for the Lisbon club.
Probable line-ups
Benfica: Vlachodimos - Almeida, Dias, Jardel, Grimaldo - Fejsa - Salvio, Pizzi, Fernandes, Cervi - Seferovic
Absentees: Castillo (muscular), Corchia (knee), Jonas (back), Krovinovic (knee)
Coach: Rui Vitoria
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba - Goretzka, Martinez - Müller, James, Ribery - Lewandowski
Absentees: Coman (ankle), Tolisso (knee), Rafinha (ankle)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Match stats
Bayern are unbeaten in five matches in Lisbon, as well as their last five away European games. They have reached the Champions League quarter-finals or better in each of the last seven seasons.
James scored 25 goals in 65 league appearance for Porto between 2010 and 2013, scoring one goal in six competitive meetings with Benfica.
Renato Sanches is a product of the Benfica academy. He made his professional debut in a Champions League group game against Astana on 25 November 2015.
Kovac made 17 Champions League appearances as a player, including six for Bayern in 2001/02 and 2002/03.
Benfica are winless in six attempts against Bayern (D3, L3).
Seferovic played under Kovac at Frankfurt between 2015 and 2017, registering 16 goals and 13 assists in 86 Bundesliga appearances.
Juucdmos
1
yes
Verissimo3
0
Jonas and corchia are going to be missed tomorrow !!!! Jardel and Andre Almeida are definitely going to have their hands full...
Vuoblrsy
0
we want James bek at madrid
Votekmot
2
Bayern must keep james
lifesoga
0
imagine selling james after the season he's just had while keeping two injury prone seniors that have been past it for 3 years.
educatione
1
Can't wait to see lewandowski's performance
secretary
0
Can't wait for this Muller not in form BS to die. He's doing great under Kovac.
campusso
0
It's believable to me because Goretzka is German, and Bayern are very big on wanting to have the best young German players.so james Maybe the main force of him is not safe
Luclike
1
James was our best player last season, he's obviously a 100% starter when fit... Lewandowski and Kimmich were our best players last year
Opacity
0
Lewandowski and Kimmich were our best players last year,but hope james to work hard
weepring
0
Only lewandowski can Wins for bayern..
Jackisdore
0
Although bayern so many injuries, but this should be no problem
confused
0
The injury prone seniors are still doing good and they play in different position. James won't be able to do their job.
Bennyta
0
That's the best news of all time,come on james