Ronaldo a 'guarantee' of goals, claims Benitez

The World Player of the Year is just two goals shy of Raul's 323-goal record, but hasn't hit the target in his last three games.

Ronaldo's inability to find the net proved costly for Madrid in a 0-0 draw at home to Malaga on Saturday as the hosts failed to make the breakthrough despite 31 attempts on goal, 14 of which came from Ronaldo.

"We created a lot of chances, I said a while back that he will score goals and without doubt he will," Benitez said ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Malmo on Wednesday.

"If the team continues to create chances he is a guarantee of goals. In this aspect I am completely calm."

Madrid have scored 18 goals in seven games this season, 14 of which have come from Ronaldo or Karim Benzema.

James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale have got the other four with doubles in a 5-0 demolition of Real Betis last month, but they have both been sidelined in recent weeks through injury.

And Benitez called on his other attacking talents to lighten the load on Ronaldo and Benzema.

"Cristiano is always in the danger area and we all know the quality he has. The offensive players need to keep trying and offering things, especially given that we have players out that score regularly and logically that has an influence.

"We need to improve the numbers of Isco, Jese (Rodriguez) or any player from the line behind the strikers to not depend so much on Cristiano or Karim."

Bale, Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Pepe were all excluded from the 20-man squad that travelled to Sweden due to injury.

However, all four are still in contention to return for the Madrid derby away to Atletico on Sunday.