Cristiano Ronaldo Must Become Focus of Attack At Real Madrid Under Rafa Benitez

Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in Real Madrid's opening two La Liga matches this season.

While that might not get alarm bells ringing—even for the prolific forward—the Portuguese superstar is unlikely to hit his previous heights unless manager Rafael Benitez restores his status as Los Blancos' main man.

As Rik Sharma noted for the MailOnline, Ronaldo's Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale has been handed "a new key role to play" by the Spaniard, with the Welshman so far being utilised as a No. 10.

However, in taking the focus away from Ronaldo, Benitez has arguably hindered the star's potential to equal last season's stunning tally of 61 goals in all competitions and indeed likely hindered Bale himself—and even James Rodriguez, who now finds himself thrust out wide.

With Bale now occupying a new central role, the 26-year-old is much more focal to Real's attacking play. According to Squawka, Bale has averaged 42.50 attempted passes per 90 minutes this season, which is up from 30.26 last year.

By contrast, Ronaldo has appeared somewhat isolated out on the left wing, with Marca's Carlos Carpio reporting that he "has found it hard to settle into Benitez's new formation."

Indeed, Squawka indicates he has created just one chance in two matches this season, including the 5-0 win over Real Betis. In the 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon, Ronaldo was particularly wasteful, leading football journalist Dermot Corrigan to suggest the 30-year-old should have been substituted:

Meanwhile, Bale has struggled to impress in the centre, per Corrigan and the Guardian's Sid Lowe:

The Welshman does not have the deft touch or vision to operate in the narrow spaces afforded to a No. 10—he is much better at using his nearly unrivalled pace and power to charge into space down the flanks.

Further, with the pair no longer separated on either flank, they are now getting in each other's way, per sports journalist Jonas Giaever.

Restoring Rodriguez and Bale to their natural roles and returning Ronaldo to his rightful place as Los Blancos' main man should see their entire attacking lineup thrive.

In fact, as Ed Alvarez of ESPN FC notes, not only should Ronaldo be Real's main focal point in the final third, he should move to a central striking role.

Essentially, Alvarez reported that Ronaldo is dribbling less and largely shooting—and scoring—from much closer to the goal than he did in his earlier days at the Bernabeu. With Ronaldo soon to enter the final years of his career having hit 30, it's imperative both to club and player that the most is made out of his inimitable talent.

Alvarez noted that Ronaldo is reluctant to make such a move, so it seems unlikely he'll change positions in the near future unless he can be convinced it would significantly benefit his goal tally and the team's success.

A player of Ronaldo's quality will most likely enjoy a prolific season no matter what happens with his or his team-mates' positions, so he'll still almost certainly be La Liga's top scorer once again or second only to Lionel Messi regardless.

However, for the Portuguese star to replicate his earlier form or better it, he at least needs his status in Real's side to be returned to him, starting with Bale moving back to the wing.