Manager Ancelotti relieved after Ronaldo returns to goal-scoring form

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Real Madrid during their Champions League win against Schalke.

Madrid, Feb 19 (IANS) Spanish football club Real Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti welcomed his star forward Cristiano Ronaldo's return to form as the striker netted one goal and set up another in his team's 2-0 win against German side Schalke 04 in a last-16 tie of the Champions League tournament.

"Cristiano is back," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by bbc.com after Wednesday's win. "Today we needed a game like that, with this attitude. Everything went well."

Ancelotti, who guided Real to a 10th European Cup last season, spoke of his confidence in Ronaldo in the build-up to the match when questioned about the reigning FIFA World Footballer of the Year's goal drought.

It was Ronaldo's first goal after four matches. If he would not have found the net, it would have been the Portuguese footballer's worst run in front of goal since 2011, but he headed in the first of the night and later set up Brazilian defender Marcelo.

"He scored, he played well and gave an assist," added Ancelotti. "It's not a problem for us if he doesn't score for a game or two but it's obvious that the goal did him good. It wasn't only a goal for the statistics. It was an important goal - the lead goal."

Even Schalke 04 coach Roberto Di Matteo praised Ronaldo for his efforts.

"Look at his quality, he goes into the box once and scores a goal. Then he sets up the second. The quality made the difference tonight," said Matteo.