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New Madrid Galactico James Rodriguez says Tuesday's Champions League opener at home to Basel offers a chance to lift the mood around the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. - Train: Basel not as straightforward as it looks for Real Madrid
- Zidane backs Benzema to end goal drought Madrid won the long awaited La Decima (tenth European Cup trophy) just six games ago, but that happy memory has long faded with many pundits and fans now upset by the sales of Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso, a Spanish Super Cup loss to Atletico Madrid, and just one win from the team's first three La Liga outings. Supporters whistled club captain Iker Casillas and Karim Benzema during Saturday's 2-1 home derbi loss to Atletico, while others took out some frustration by kicking Gareth Bale's car as the Welsh winger drove into training on Monday. Inside the training ground at Valdebebas, James told the pregame news conference that there was no need for such over-reaction, as Madrid's squad had the quality to bounce back and start winning games such as Tuesday's game with Basel. "We've started badly, but we have the players to get out of this situation," James said. "There's no need to get carried away. We're just starting. "It will be a hard match. [Basel] have good players but we have to go out to win, be intense and go out to pressure them. We have to play with intensity and start the Champions League with a win. You can't look back. You have to go out to win." Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to make many changes to his starting lineup for the game, with Dani Carvajal still missing with a hamstring problem picked up on international duty with Spain. James should continue in a left-sided midfield role, with the Colombia international admitting that he was still getting used to his new teammates and new position. "I am in a new group and I am gradually getting better," he said. "Every day I get better, physically and mentally. I just want to play and train. I came here as just another player and I want to train well to perform well when I play." James claimed Saturday's second consecutive La Liga loss at home to Atletico, when Madrid were on top in the first half but did not manage one shot on target after the break, had not actually been that bad a performance. "We were unlucky," he said. "They didn't attack much and we had clear chances that we must do better with. We have to train and work on it."
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