Rafael Benitez’s La Liga bow as Real Madrid manager ended in frustration, as a stubborn Sporting Gijon side held out for a well-earned goalless draw.
The result means the Galacticos already find themselves trailing rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona after the opening round of league fixtures, with questions over a lack of attacking creativity sure to be posed of the new Real Madrid manager.
The home side actually came closest to breaking the deadlock, with Antonio Sanabria crashing a header off the underside of the bar and off the line in the first half, as Sporting Gijon went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale – who was used as a central striker in the absence of the injured Karim Benzema – and Cristiano Ronaldo both came close to finding the net, but were forced to settle for a point in a frustrating Liga opener for Real.