Ruthless Ronaldo continues imperious form

Like a fine wine, Cristiano Ronaldo just gets better and better. Many suggested that the Portuguese's early-season struggles were the result of his waning powers, but that has been dispelled with a stunning renaissance since the turn of the year.

His second goal against the Italians was so good that even the home fans applauded it and it's hard to blame them.

The brace took Ronaldo to 23 goals in his last 12 games, a terrifyingly impressive haul that only goes to underline his incredible transformation from wing wizard to penalty-box poacher.

For evidence of how Ronaldo has developed as a footballer you need only look at his first goal as an intelligent piece of movement allowed the Portuguese to dart away from his marked and produce an intelligent improvised finish to prod past Gianluigi Buffon.

The Ronaldo of old would have more than likely been the player supplying the pass rather that applying the finishing touch.

Arguably the most interest stat from the night was that of all Real Madrid's starters that played 90 minutes, only goalkeeper Keylor Navas had less touches of the ball than Ronaldo, who clearly opted for quality over quantity.

A perfectly-weighted pass for Marcelo to round off the win also provided a glimpse of what Ronaldo can offer on the ball.

For all the talk of Ronaldo's greediness, Real miss his willingness to link up with one and two-touch football in and around the box when he isn't there.

Following a catastrophic start to the season Real Madrid now have one foot firmly in the Champions League semi-finals and maybe, just maybe could go on to claim an historic third straight title. With Ronaldo in this form, anything is possible.