Sporting Gijon 0-0 Real Madrid: Real held to goalless draw

Rafael Benitez oversaw a disappointing 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon in the first competitive fixture of his reign as Real Madrid manager.

The Spanish giants, who were without Karim Benzema due to a thigh injury, produced a somewhat disjointed performance in a match that was also the first since goalkeeper Iker Casillas' departure to Porto.

Hosts Sporting defended impressively and frustrated their opponents, who for all of their possession and shots on goal rarely looked like scoring.

Gareth Bale, playing in a new central role and running onto Luka Modric's outstanding through-ball, perhaps came closest to scoring for Real 12 minutes in, when he rounded Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar but, from a tight angle, could only shoot against the side netting.

Jese, playing in Benzema's absence, and Isco also produced unremarkable efforts before in the 33rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo, who may yet suffer as a consequence of Bale's new position, produced a 25-yard shot that Cuellar comfortably saved.

While Real's medium-to-long-range efforts hinted at frustration, Sporting came far closer to scoring than their expensively-assembled opponents.

Reading a cross from the right wing, Antonio Sanabria, on loan from Roma, sent a powerful header beyond Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas but against the underside of the bar where it then bounced downwards onto the goal-line and out.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Real instantly responded with a counter-attack that was ended, after a cross from Bale, when Ronaldo went down under a challenge from Luis Hernandez but though a penalty appeared the right decision nothing was given.

As Real largely continued to shoot straight at Cuellar, his team-mate Carlos Carmona almost gave Sporting the lead three minutes after half-time with a powerful header that went just beyond the post.

The visitors gradually applied increasing pressure but still a goal looked beyond them.

Live La Liga Football

In the 78th minute, after a shot from Ronaldo, Marcelo headed the rebound over from in front of goal and six minutes later the Portuguese again came close when his powerful shot, heading for the top corner, was saved by the resilient Cuellar.

The game's final chance came to Ronaldo, three minutes into stoppage time, when Real were awarded a free-kick from 25 yards out but, in a moment that captured much of their evening, the forward harmlessly struck against the defensive wall.