Despite his Atletico Madrid allegiances, Luis Amaranto Perea has admitted that he has been saddened to see James Rodriguez fall down the Real Madrid pecking order. Although Zinedine Zidane's side have struggled with injuries this season, the 25-year-old has made just four starts in all competitions for Los Blancos. "I'm surprised that he no longer appears so much," Perea said while speaking at a sponsorship event with Roberto Carlos ahead of Saturday's capital city derby. "Real Madrid must get back to having him play like he did during the [Carlo] Ancelotti era. Madrid demand a lot from players but he doesn't seem to be receiving much affection. "The only way for [Rodriguez] to get back to playing at his old levels is to work hard and analyse what has been different in his game recently."
Perea has been pleased to see the turn in the tide of the Madrid derby since his playing days, when the Rojiblancos struggled considerably, and is even tipping his old club to end Real's unbeaten start to the season. "In my time, we knew it would always be very difficult to beat Real Madrid," continued the 37-year-old. "That isn't the case today because under Cholo, Atletico are a very hard team to beat. "He makes everyone better players and his influence is all over the squad. I think for this game, Atletico will be the favourites as they are at home. "It is also vital for them to win and I think they will win 2-0. The psychological aspect of Cholo's management has been key in turning things around."James Rodriguez when he plays for Colombia and when he plays for Colombia, and MARCA spoke to five Colombian journalists to better understand the player and what he means to the country. A lack of minutes under Zinedine Zidane has led to some frustration across the Cafetero nation, but the player still has a lot to prove despite a successful first season at Los Blancos. "In Colombia, people aren't patient with James Rodriguez and always want him to play everything, even at Real Madrid," said Laura Hernandez of Red+ Noticias. "He needs to prove he is ready to start for Madrid." Some in the midfielder's native land believes the Spanish press has made it an overblown story, exaggerating the conflict between player and coach, or the demand for more playing time. "The Spanish press has exaggerated the situation," said Juan Diego Ramirez of El Espectador.
Leaving in search for more playing time, while tempting, isn't necessarily the answer either. "If Rodriguez were to leave Real Madrid, he'd be proving his detractors right," said Juan Pablo Coronado of Win Sports. For others, a lack of playing time is the reason the Colombian icon is playing below his abilities. "Zidane has made him feel less important, which has diminished his play," Faban Rozo of Espn pointed out. Though some differences will inevitably remain, one thing is clear: a happy and in-form James Rodriguez is in both Real Madrid's and Colombia's best interests. How to get there is another question altogether.
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