After a disappointing goalless draw and with Cristiano Ronaldo getting a bit of the jitters as he closes in on the club's all-time goalscoring record, Real Madrid will hope to kill two birds with one stone when they pay a visit to Malmo in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Real Madrid and Ronaldo were at their destructive best in their opening Champions League game, easing past Shakhtar Donetsk at the Bernabeu. However, the goals have dried up just a touch for Rafa Benitez's side, and Real Madrid will look to this game against Malmo to get back to their scoring ways, as well as the perfect opportunity for Ronaldo to finally equal/go past Raul's all-time mark for the club.
"I came up through the ranks at Real Madrid and I know that in every game it's a must that we play well, win and are successful in every competition," Benitez said. "I'm approaching this game as the most important one, because it's the next one.
"It's a Champions League match and we know what the tournament means to this club. The requirement at this club is the same day in, day out -- win every game.
"Cristiano Ronaldo looks to me just as the team does -- in pretty good shape and creating chances. I've said that he'll score goals, and that's what he'll do if the team continue to create chances, because he guarantees goals.
"It's normal to think about stopping Cristiano when you play against Real Madrid. He's the focal point of the attack."
Malmo will do well to stop Ronaldo and co. from scoring, even if the match will be played at their home turf. The Swedish club went down to Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Champions League match – a match which was special for Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- and a point against Real on Wednesday will be seen as a major achievement.
"A draw would be a very good result for us," Malmo manager Age Hareid told UEFA's official website. "But our best chance is if Madrid maybe think the three points are already theirs and they play a couple of percent off their best.
"Maybe the crowd will help too -- they are used to big crowds but here the fans are so close. For us, it is important not to be too passive. If we start passively, it is difficult to turn that around."
Team news: Malmo: Zlatan Azinovic and Guillermo Molins are ruled out for the team from Sweden, while Agon Mehmeti is a doubt with an ankle problem.
Real Madrid: Gareth Bale remains on the sidelines, along with Pepe, Danilo, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez.
Where to Watch Live
Get the Malmo vs Real Madrid Highlights HERE
Get the Manchester United vs Wolfsburg video highlights HERE
Real Madrid vs Malmo is scheduled for an 8.45 pm local time (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Ten Cricket. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India (and the rest of the subcontinent) on Ten Sports Live.
Watch the match live in the UK on BT Sport, while the online live stream option is on Watch BT Sport or by downloading the BT Sport app.
Audience in the US can catch Malmo vs Real Madrid live on Fox Sports, while the match can also be live streamed online on FoxSoccer2Go.
Bein Sports and Bein Sports Connect will show the match between Real Madrid and Malmo FF live in Spain, France, Australia, Middle East and North Africa.
