Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that his team "can still improve" despite putting six unanswered goals past Espanyol on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored five times in the rout, while Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet as the Spanish giants put in a strong performance.

Benitez, however, has said that Los Blancos can "still improve" in the months ahead as they attempt to wrestle the La Liga title away from Barcelona.

"It's a great result away from home, but we can still improve. I say this objectively and without vanity," Benitez told reporters.

"Since my presentation, I've wanted an attacking Madrid who score goals, and it's what we're working on, although we're also trying to achieve a balance [in defence], provided we don't lose any sight of goal.

"Espanyol did many things right but we took our chances. We played a good game, but we still have things to improve on."

Real Madrid have collected seven points from their first three games of the new campaign.