Ancelotti expects Rodriguez to shine at Bayern

SINGAPORE: Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti believes new loan signing James Rodriguez will play a key role in the engine room of the German champions as they seek to export their domestic dominance to the rest of Europe.

Ancelotti guided Bayern to a fifth Bundesliga title in a row last season but the side suffered a fourth successive knockout stage failure in the Champions League and the Italian is hoping midfielder Rodriguez will spur them to greater success.

“James has a fantastic quality that can improve our level of play,” Ancelotti told reporters in Singapore on Monday, where the club are involved in a three-team pre-season tournament.

“I think he gives us something extra between the lines (attack and midfield), especially in terms of the final pass to the strikers,” Ancelotti added of the Colombian, who joined Bayern on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid.

“I joined Bayern because they are one of the best teams in the world and I am delighted to be at a club where the coach really trusts me,” added the 26-year-old, who endured three frustrating seasons in the Spanish capital.“I am here to win titles and am sure that we have the team and the coach to do it.”