Bayern Munich’s James Rodriguez has nothing to prove against Real Madrid, says Zinedine Zidane

Rodriguez is on a two-year loan in Munich, having struggled to get enough game time under Zidane at the Bernabeu

James Rodriguez struggled for game time under Zinedine Zidane (AFP/Getty Images)

Zinedine Zidane has said James Rodriguez has nothing to prove when the Bayern Munich midfielder – on loan from Real Madrid – comes up against his parent club in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday evening.

Rodriguez is on a two-year loan in Munich, having struggled to get enough game time under Zidane at the Bernabeu. But the Real Madrid manager praised the 26-year-old in the build-up to the match, and insisted Rodriguez will not be motivated to impress him.

“I didn’t want James to leave,” said Zidane of his departure last summer. “He wanted more game time, which I can understand. I never had any problem with him, he just wanted to play. James loves to play football, so of course he’ll want to do a good job tomorrow. But not to show me or prove me wrong.”

Real are seeking to clinch a third Champions League in succession, having beaten Bayern on route to the final last season, but Zidane was reluctant to draw on that experience here.

“I have no doubts that mentally we will be at 150 per cent tomorrow. I don’t think there are any favourites. It’s a semi-final – it’s completely different to last season. It’s a different match, we can’t compare the two.

“I have huge respect for what Jupp Heynckes has achieved at Bayern and Real Madrid. I can only repay the compliments to him. We will need a big performance against a strong opponent. Bayern are a great club with great team spirit.”

Zinedine Zidane is chasing a third successive Champions League (Getty)

Real’s midfield metronome Toni Kroos played for Zidane’s counterpart, Heynckes, early in his career at both Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, and he praised the 72-year-old’s work this season.

“It’s not just tactics, it’s about man management,” said Kroos, of Heynckes’s success. “I experienced that when I played under Jupp and I think it’s one of the secrets to his success. I think that’s why they are doing better this season.”