James Rodriguez knows that Real Madrid is in a tough situation heading into the last games of the season. Being two points behind Barcelona, hoping to finally beat Atletico Madrid in the UCL Quarter-Final second leg and having Gareth Bale and Luka Modric in the injured are not good news for Los Blancos.
The Colombian midfielder who was out for 60 days with an injury has scored twice since returning to Carlo Ancelotti's orders and has been vital in Madrid's good form late this season. In an interview with
"We will have to be totally concentrated, play well and keep together. If we do that, we'll get excellent results," James
James joined Madrid after a stellar World Cup with Colombia. It did not take him long to get used to what it meant to be in Madrid and what is expected from players in the club.
WATCH: James talks about present and future of Real Madrid
"The fans will give us an extra push to compete for every ball as if it were a cup final" http://t.co/JWw3WPCYdN pic.twitter.com/LPHKSpZMgn
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) abril 20, 2015
"There's always pressure here, but you have to know how to manage it. I see myself here for many years to come and to do so I have to play well in every game," James, whose contract is set to expire in 2019, said.
For their game against Atletico this weekend, they have lost two three important players (Bale, Modric, Marcelo), but James believes the crowd at Bernabéu will play its role.
"The fans are vital, a plus that helps us to fight for every ball and play the game as if it were a final." Jame claimed "It'll be tough, but we'll be in our stadium and with our people."
Atletico has proven to be a hard team to beat since last summer when Real Madrid won "La Decima" against the same team. In the first leg of this current series, Atletico's goalkeeper Jan Oblak became their main figure.
Nothing got past Jan Oblak in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals
"They're intense, very tight at the back, a unit. We have to have patience, play, move the ball around, look for spaces and when we get our chances, make good of them."