Bayern moved 18 points clear atop the Bundesliga with a resolute win at Mainz, thanks to exquisite goals from Franck Ribery and James Rodriguez.
MUNICH -- Jupp Heynckes has hailed James Rodriguez as a "smash hit" since the Colombia international arrived at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid last summer.
Rodriguez, 26, scored his fourth goal in Bayern's 2-0 Bundesliga win at Mainz on Saturday and has also provided six assists in 15 league games since joining the German champions on a two-year loan from Real Madrid in August.
Rodriguez was brought in by former coach Carlo Ancelotti, whom he played under in Spain.
"James wasn't happy in Madrid [and] he wasn't getting the playing time that such a player deserves," Heynckes said Monday when asked if he was grateful that Ancelotti had recruited Rodriguez.
"After a few problems at the start at FC Bayern, he has become a smash hit."
The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner has become an integral part of Bayern's recent success as the team have earned 19 wins in 20 games since Heynckes took over from Ancelotti for a fourth term in October.
"The way he is playing and how he has integrated -- he's laughing, relaxed and has an aura about him that gives the impression that he is settled and happy to be in Munich," Heynckes said.
"It's not so easy when you arrive in a different country, a different mentality, a different football and a different language. He is doing very well, but he can do even better."
James Rodriguez moved to Bayern Munich in August on a two-year loan from Real Madrid.
In team news, as Bayern aim to seal a ninth consecutive domestic cup semifinal appearance, Heynckes confirmed Jerome Boateng will miss the game having called in sick with a stomach bug.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Bayern's DFB Pokal quarterfinal tie at third-division leaders Paderborn on Tuesday, Heynckes said the defender picked up the illness from his wife and children, who were all sick.
"That is always the chain reaction -- players need to be extra careful not to get infected from their families," Heynckes said. "Sometimes they have to go into quarantine for two days and wear a face mask. It's vitally important."
Heynckes is reluctant to take any risks with Javi Martinez, who picked up a minor injury on Friday and didn't travel for the game at Mainz.
"Javi still has slight pain in his ankle and it doesn't make any sense to risk him as he's too valuable a player," Heynckes said. "I hope he'll be available for Schalke on Saturday."
Arturo Vidal has overcome a stomach illness that forced him to miss the trip to Mainz and could make the squad for the quarterfinal if he comes through Monday's training session, while there's still no comeback date in sight for Manuel Neuer.
Bayern's captain remains "optimistic," according to Heynckes, as he continues his comeback from a broken foot and hasn't played since September.
Heynckes added that "naming an exact date for Neuer's return would be counterproductive and build up unnecessary pressure."
Midfielder Thiago Alcantara could be cleared to return to full training on Wednesday after injuring a thigh muscle in the Champions League game at Anderlecht in November.
"It's very pleasing to see how Thiago is recovering from his injury," Heynckes said, before adding that he will resist the temptation to rush the Spain international back into action on the pitch.
"It doesn't matter whether it's one or two weeks more, the player is too valuable to make another mistake. Another injury would be terrible for the player, the club and for his World Cup chances.
"He has big dreams with FC Bayern -- and of course with Spain in the World Cup, where they are one of the favourites -- so as a coach, I have to apply the brake. Thiago can add a very important element to our game as he showed before his injury. It is so important to have creative players with such fantasy available, fit and ready to play."
Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.
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Source: espn.co.uk