After two months out with a knee injury, James Rodriguez returned to the Bayern Munich squad against Hoffenheim but was left on the bench on Friday evening.
Niko Kovac brought him on in the closing stages of the 3-1 win, as his pass to Thomas Muller allowed him to set up Robert Lewandowski to score a late goal.
Rodriguez showed just why he should be starting for Bayern, as these five reasons prove:
1) Bayern need his talent
The Bavarians have plenty of players with pace and speed, but they lack the imagination or creativity of a player like the Colombian, as he showed for Bayern's third goal on Friday.
2) He makes his team-mates better
With Rodriguez on the pitch, it gives players like Lewandowski, Muller or Serge Gnabry more freedom, the German even spoke out about his love of playing alongside the Real Madrid loanee recently.
3) Set piece strength
When Bayern lack the flow of recent years as they have this season, they must capitalise on set pieces and that means counting on Rodriguez, not only for his direct free-kicks but also from indirect ones and corners.
4) Bringing the ball forward
Playing in a 4-3-3, Rodriguez provides the link in the transition to attack with his quality and touch of the ball which can evade opposition pressure and open the game up by taking the ball into dangerous areas.
5) Strikes fear and scores goals
A goal scoring midfielder with immense quality is enough to intimidate opposition players and makes a real difference when the goals aren't coming easy to Bayern, they can't afford not to count on him as a fundamental part of the team.
benalfa
1
Müller will miss the next two UCL encounters. I guess James will play a key role
hadisyz
1
is good on bayern
Ciueiktz
5
Please let him play the full match
fakclmnpu
2
he just returned from injury, thats why he was benched. Bayern want to keep him and they will play him definitely.
meykntuy
2
Hamish is very good player and we need that kind of talent👉
Sitmtuyz
3
James is undoubtedly good player but Thiago and Goretzka are good as well, Muller played good game as well, So someone have to be in the bench.
Dada20
0
James is a good player and we need is talent in our team bayern
he coming back
Maeabotuy
4
James is a good player and we need is talent in our team bayern
kaninoprsz
5
James is good on the ball I like you to sine
Minadmnort
4
rodriguez is quality and hes going no where
čhøbõÿ
1
he's a great player
Bir_Gorkhe
3
theres a prob with new managers with these talented players...isco is facing smae, james is here, pogba was facing same prob with mourinho & so theres others hightly rated players who are benched.....this ruin their future and decrease in playing ability...it really makes them unhappy and to us who supports those playera bt always in benched....
Zondekmsz
2
One of the best player in the world right now but the managers can't see his talent. An attacking midfielder who scores as much as he creates on the field....!!!!