Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Cristiano Ronaldo was "back now" after the Blancos talisman ended a run of three games without scoring in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League last 16 first leg win at Schalke.
In a low-tempo game, Madrid never threatened to repeat their 6-1 scoreline at the Veltins Arena last season, but took full control of the tie through Ronaldo's first half header and Marcelo's spectacular strike late.
Ronaldo's opener ended his personal drought, while the reigning Ballon d'Or holder also provided the assist before Marcelo hammered the ball to the top corner with his right foot in the night's most spectacular moment.
The Italian coach told reporters after the game that nobody at the Bernabeu club had doubted that Ronaldo would soon be again among the goals.
"Cristiano was born to score goals," Ancelotti said. "Between us and the team we had no problems if Cristiano does not score for one or two games. Sooner or later he was going to score. He played a good game, scored a goal and gave an assist. He is back now. He is improving like all the team. The reaction until now was good."
The competition holders are now huge favourites to progress ahead of the second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 10. Ancelotti admitted his side had not been at their most fluid best, but he was happy considering factors such as their recent domestic dip and Schalke's defensive set-up.
"I am happy as it is never easy," he said. "After what has happened in La Liga we needed to play a game like this with good attitude and good play. The game was not at a very high intensity as Schalke sat back from the start and wanted to hit on the break. We did not need a very high rhythm. We were patient and after the first goal we had good control, and were able to take our opportunity."
Ancelotti did not reveal exactly what he had said to Marcelo when he joined the Brazilian and his teammates to celebrate Madrid's second goal, while saying he had been surprised to see the left-back shoot with his right foot.
"It is not usual to see Marcelo shoot with his right foot," he said. "That was a surprise, and why I ran on to celebrate on the pitch."
There was also an explanation why Ancelotti had chosen to leave out Asier Illarramendi, and give 14 million-euro January signing Lucas Silva his first Madrid start in such a big game.
"I put in Lucas Silva because he was fresher," the coach said. "He showed order and personality on the pitch, playing simply, but with good ideas. In this way he surprised me. It is not easy to make your debut for Madrid aged 22 like that, in a Champions League game. He showed pretty surprising personality."
Ancelotti also said he was happy to have Pepe back at centre-half, after the Portugal international had missed Madrid's past six games with a rib injury.
"You could see Pepe's experience, his personality," he said. "He leads the way. He was important for us today."