After a year of shadows, of injuries, of getting lost in the tangles of a league like Qatar’s, in which he could never shine or make a difference, James Rodriguez seems to have found the light again in Greece. Little by little, she regains the conviction that she can be on a court from Sunday to Sunday.
Olympiakos, a club founded 97 years ago in Piraeus opened the doors for James, who tried unsuccessfully to return to one of Europe’s top leagues. And in his first weeks, the ’10’ seems to feel comfortable in a team that is not going through his best sporting moment.
In the Greek league it is in third place after 10 days, but the leader, Panathinaikos, is already 10 points ahead and this Sunday it could increase it to 13, when the classic football game is played in that country (12:30 p.m. In colombia).
This is how James’s start with Olympiacos is seen in Greece
However, James has had some standout moments dressed in the vertically striped red and white shirt, Olympiacos’ main kit. He has five games with the team, and in them he scored two goals and provided two assists. The two goals, in addition, came through a route that is not frequent in the Colombian, the blow of the head.
Despite Olympiacos’ difficult campaign (which even cost Spanish coach Carlos Corberán his head), the press in that country have highlighted James’ performance. The new coach, Miguel González, ‘Michel’, seems to fully trust the Colombian. He is summoned for the classic.
“I think James has fully adapted to the team’s philosophy, which is perfect for him. He quickly found his role and in recent games he has continuously participated in the goals either as a scorer or giving an assist, ”Vasilis Konstantopoulos, a journalist for the Nova Sports television channel, told EL TIEMPO.
Other colleagues of his also highlight James, but believe that he can still have a better level. “James Rodríguez is at a good level, not super, but good enough to make a difference in the Super League. He has goals, assists and is getting better and better, game by game, ”said Dim Christofidellis, a journalist for the Greek radio Sport24.
Unlike what happened to him in Qatar, where he was never able to adapt or feel comfortable, James seems to take the measure of Greek football very quickly.
“James seems to enjoy his relationship with the fans and he enjoys football. In relation to the other superstar, Marcelo, he is in better condition and with a higher engine”, noted Konstantopoulos.
The Brazilian Rivaldo, figure of Barcelona, winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1999 and world champion with his National Team in 2002, knows this medium well. He played for Olympiacos between 2004 and 2007 and won three leagues and two Greek Cups with that club. When the Colombian signed with the team, he anticipated that this medium could come in handy.
“With such a fanatical public, I think James will play great games and rehabilitate himself in European football, even being able to return to the Champions League through the door of the Greek club or even, perhaps, return to Spain, England or Italy,” he said then. Rivaldo, today an ambassador for the Betfair bookmaker.
This is how another Colombian who went through Olympiacos sees James
Another former Olympiacos player, Colombian Jorge Bermúdez, assures that James’s current moment will help him regain confidence. “James is a crack without competition rhythm. The Greek league will give him rhythm, but he is surely not the most demanding, despite that he feels that continuity will do him good, ”Bermúdez explained to EL TIEMPO.
“Olympiacos is going through a complicated moment due to the poor presentation in European competition, but it is already pointing to the next season,” added the Boca Juniors manager today. It should be remembered that the team has just been eliminated from the Europa League, without winning a single game.
James’ big problem in recent years has been injuries. “Hopefully he doesn’t relapse into his old injury and adds matches that give him physical security,” concluded Bermúdez.
For now, James is struggling to maintain a good pace. Christofidellis highlighted the factors with which he can make a difference: “Quality, passion, efficiency and obstinacy”.
Paul Romero
Jose Orlando Ascencio
Sports Writing
@TIME
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