Cristiano Ronaldo leaner, faster and more decisive than ever Champions League - Real Madrid New approach has paid dividends

Massimiliano Allegri spoke before Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final about how Cristiano Ronaldo is better than ever, but not even the Juventus boss would have expected that to be demonstrated so vividly in front of him.

"He's better than ever because he's been able to adapt to new circumstances," said Allegri pre-match and post-match that analysis grew to: "He is the best forward in the world over the last two years."

In the other dugout, Zinedine Zidane masterminded yet another top display from Real Madrid with Ronaldo at the spearhead of an attack that no longer relies on the old 4-3-3 BBC setup.

All attacking efforts are now focused on giving the Portugal star the space to take aim at goal, which he has done with amazing force in the Champions League this season, notching in every game.

Vital to this approach is the support staff deployed around Ronaldo. No longer is he forced wide to provide Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale their spot in the line-up but now he plays centrally, with Benzema there purely to support him and with wingers Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio trained on supplying balls into the box.

New Routine

Perhaps most important to all this has been the coach's understanding of Ronaldo's limitations at the age of 33, and that he can no longer expect to play in every game and score 50 goals per season.

His body has changed, now leaner, lighter, and consequently, faster. As such, Ronaldo no longer considers it necessary to outpace an opponent over 50 yards but instead he need only be in the right place at the right time.

Another new facet to his game is the closeness with his teammates. Keeping colleagues around him to escape tight spots and to feed him the ball in return has been understood by the player as integral to his, and the club's, success.

Finally, there is an off-field contentment between Ronaldo and the club board that had threatened to disappear over the start of the season.

Back in top form and aiming for a major trophy, the winger is ready to wait until the end of the season to discuss his contract situation and can fully focus on earning his fifth Champions League winners' medal in the meantime.