New Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo will remain a "fundamental player" as he seeks to make changes to the team's tactics.
Marca and AS both reported on Thursday that Ronaldo will remain in his favoured position out on the left for the start of the season, but it appears changes are planned elsewhere, with both papers claiming Gareth Bale is likely to be moved into a central attacking role.
Benitez, who has developed a reputation as a defensive coach throughout his career, said he has no plans to break with the club's attacking traditions but stressed the need for improvement at the back.
Real scored 118 goals in La Liga last season -- eight more than champions Barcelona -- but they were let down by the 38 goals they conceded -- 17 more than Luis Enrique's side.
"I want Real Madrid to be Real Madrid," he told the club's official website from their training camp in Australia. "I want us to be a team that go out to win every game, that take the initiative, are assertive, that attack as well as in recent years and that defend a little bit better, to achieve that balance that will enable us to win more games and have a greater chance of winning trophies."
Ronaldo was central to Real's attacking threat last season, scoring 48 goals in 35 league games to finish as La Liga's top scorer for the third time in his career.
He contributed 61 goals in all competitions -- his best return since arriving from Manchester United in 2009 -- and Benitez said he will hold talks with the 30-year-old to determine how best to utilise him this season.
"He's a fundamental player for us," he said. "By meeting him and starting to exchange our thoughts with each other, we will be able to progress in terms of the dynamic of the group and get to know him better, so as to get the best out of him and so that the team can make the most of everything he has to offer."
Real begin the 2015-16 season against newly promoted Sporting Gijon at El Molinon on Aug. 15 as they target a first league title since 2011-12.