MADRID - Expectations were unsurprisingly sky high when Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez joined Real Madrid from Monaco after top scoring with six goals at the 2014 World Cup.

Real, who play at Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga tomorrow, snapped up the golden boot winner for a fee of around ?80-million (R1.1-billion) and fans were eager to see the goals flowing from the boot of the gifted 23-year-old.

However, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti is having to reorganise his team after the exits of midfielders Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria and Rodriguez, who is known by his first name James, has taken time to settle.

Rodriguez scored in the Spanish Super Cup first leg against Atletico Madrid last month but it was his performance against FC Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday, when he netted Real's fourth goal in a thumping 5-1 win, that suggested he may be finding his feet at his new club.

Against Basel he appeared to be involved a lot more than in the previous games.

"I played a good match," Rodriguez said.

"I think everything came off for us and as a group we did everything well," he added.

"We hope to continue like this and keep scoring goals. This match gives us confidence for what lies ahead."

Real's reverse to champions Atletico was their second La Liga defeat on the trot and they are mired down in 13th place with three points from three games, already six behind leaders Barcelona.

Barca are the only team with a perfect record as they prepare for a trip to Valencia to play Levante on Sunday.

Atletico slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Olympiakos Piraeus on Tuesday and need to pick themselves up for tomorrow's game at home to Celta Vigo.

It is not clear whether Atletico's Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic will be available after he suffered a broken nose and was due to have surgery yesterday.