Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo stars in Real Madrid victory

“I consider him (Benzema) to be a key player for us”.

Cristiano Ronaldo has clinched his place among the three all-time top scorers in the Spanish Primera Division after netting against Eibar for Real Madrid on Sunday. “On a personal level I have said before that he is a great guy and he has our support”, Benitez said on Tuesday.

“We know we still have things to improve but getting the win today was important”, he told Canal Plus.

“We didn’t expect to have the game we had against Barcelona, but we’re with the Coach the President”, the defender said.

Hosts must play without injured Gayoso and Jaime, as well as suspended Keko, while Real Madrid can not count upon Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Isco.

Gareth Bale broke the deadlock in a tight game moments before the half-time break, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot with eight minutes remaining to clinch the victory.

The Real Madrid forward a few titles under his belt, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and become Real Madrid’s record scorer.

Getafe secured their first win in five league games as a 2-0 home victory against Villarreal lifted them up to 13th place, four points above the relegation zone.

Real Madrid’s already undermanned defense took another hit after scans showed Dani Carvajal has a left thigh muscle injury. “My aim is for all of them to play well”, said Benitez, who also had words for Karim Benzema, who will face trail in France for his alleged role in a blackmail plot against fellow French global Mathieu Valbuena.

Eibar hung tough in the second half and attacked through corner kicks and set pieces, while Ronaldo wasted another excellent chance before finally celebrating his goal.

The former Liverpool boss put the late concessions down to complacency, saying “anyone might have felt that the game was won” with the score line at 4-0.

Barcelona look unstoppable after crushing Madrid and routing Roma 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, when Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since recovering from a knee injury.