Topics: Cristiano Rondaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga, Sporting Gijon
Real Madrid had 27 shots but only eight on target. The referee did not side with Ronaldo when the Portuguese striker demanded a penalty kick.

Sporting Gijon may have been frightened when they learned that their first game in La Liga after being promoted would be against Real Madrid, but on Sunday that did not seem to be the case as they held Los Blancos to a 0-0 scoreline. Now Rafael Benitez will be back to working under pressure and Sporting with the confidence they can do a good job throughout the season. 

Madrid tried from almost every angle to get past Ivan Cuellar, Gijon's keeper, but despite their 27 shots, only eight went on goal and none of them past the goalkeeper. The new team made it a very physical game, not making it easy for Madrid's players to elaborate quick plays. They had 20 fould called against them.

Ramos recognized there is a lot of room for improvement 

There was one that Cristiano Ronaldo wished the referee called but he did not. The Portuguese striker felt he was clearly pulled by Sergio Alvarez, but Javier Estrada Fernandez did not let himself get influenced by CR7. That could have led to a penalty kick and maybe Ronaldo's first goal of the season, but we will never know.

Benitez' side was clearly in possesion of the game for the most part. The ball belonged to Real Madrid 67% of the game and the other 33% went Gijon's way. None of Madrid's players were booked, while four players of the home side left the game with a yellow card.

There were some positives for Benitez in this game 

None of Madrid's players who came off the bench really worked the way Benitez and Madrid would have wanted. The game was clearly one sided but the scoresheet showed both teams finished the same way it started.

While the situation of Karim Benzema is decided before the transfer window closes, the team from the Spanish capital will return home to face Real Betis in their home-opener. Gijon will go on the road to meet with Real Sociedad. It will be a crucial game for Los Merengues as Barcelona already won its first game of the season. 

It seems like Barcelona won the first round