Rafael Benitez's debut as Real Madrid boss was disappointing as his side were held 0-0 by newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday as defending champions Barcelona began their title defence with a 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao, thanks to Luis Suarez's solitary second-half strike.


Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) vies with Sporting Gijon's midfielder Nacho Cases. Photo: AFP

Sporting Gijon, playing their first game back in the top flight for three years, held firm against Real in front of their home fans and even came closes to breaking the deadlock, with Antonio Sanabria header crashing off the underside of the bar in the first half.