Into the wall! Ronaldo smacks his effort into the wall and the follow-up from James is over the bar. That should do it!
90' +3
Marcelo and Ronaldo work a clever give-and-go before the Brazilian is fouled atop the area. This could be the last chance for Los Blancos to break the deadlock!
90' +2
Sporting are into time-wasting mode now and you can hardly blame them. Modric is fouled in midfield, but the ball is kicked far away as they'll have to wait to take it.
90'
There will be four minutes of time added on at the end of this match. Do Real Madrid have it in them to find a late winner, or will Sporting pull off the spectacular in their return to the top flight?
88'
Immediate impact from Carvajal! He sends a wonderful delivery in from the right to pick out Ronaldo. It's a much more difficult chance this time for the forward, however, and he can't pull it off as his header glances over the bar.
86'
R. Aït-Atmane enters the game and replaces Carlos Carmona.
Sporting make their third and final change, mostly to buy their defenders a bit of a breather. There's a raucous applause for Carmona, and rightfully so, as he gives way for Rachid Ait-Atmane.
84'
Dani Carvajal enters the game and replaces Danilo.
CUELLAR THE MAGNIFICENT! Ronaldo takes a pass just inside the left of the area. He switches it onto his right and drives an effort at goal, but the keeper soars through the air to get a hand to it!
Real Madrid make their final change as well here with Daniel Carvajal coming on at the expense of Danilo. It's a like-for-like swap, likely to provide some fresh legs out on the flank.
82'
Ramos is the lone Real Madrid player on the halfway line. Everyone else is forward in attack looking to snatch a dramatic, late winner. It took long enough but they're finally playing with more width and it's helped drastically to stretch Sporting in defence.
80'
It's all Real Madrid now as we enter the final 10 minutes. They're really taking the game to Sporting, who appear to be playing with some tired legs. They have plenty back in defence, however, and it will take every single one of them to see this result through to the final whistle.
Minute
Description
78'
They can't buy a goal! Ronaldo twists and turns inside the area as he carves out space for a shot, but sends his blistering effort straight at Cuellar! The rebound comes to Marcelo but his header sails over the bar.
77'
Álex Menéndez enters the game and replaces Jony.
76'
What's wrong with Ronaldo? Incredibly uncharacteristic of the Portuguese international as he's gifted with an open goal ahead of him as James plays the ball across the area, but he can't make clean contact yet again! The flag goes up, however, so it wouldn't have counted regardless.
74'
Sergio Álvarez gets yellow.
STAT ATTACK: This is the second time Real Madrid have started a league season against Gijon. They beat them 2-0 at the Bernabeu in 1989/90, coincidentally the same match in which current Sporting coach Abelardo made his La Liga debut.
72'
Juan Muñiz enters the game and replaces Miguel Guerrero.
Here comes the debutante! Mateo Kovacic comes on for his debut and it couldn't be more delicately poised for him to be the hero. He replaces Isco, while Sporting make a change of their on bringing Juan Muniz on for his La Liga debut.
71'
M. Kovačić enters the game and replaces Isco.
Jony gets yellow.
70'
Tremendous block! Valiant defending from Luis Hernandez! Ronaldo breaks into the area and cuts onto his left before firing a strike at goal from close range, but the centre-half sprints across and slides in fearlessly to deflect it behind for a corner.
68'
WASTED OPPORTUNITY! James delivers a picture-perfect cross to pick out Ronaldo at the far post. The forward heads those in with regularity, but not this time as he fails to make clean contact, before burying his head in his hands in disbelief.
66'
Carlos Carmona gets yellow.
Carmona picks up a yellow card as he just clips the heel of Marcelo, who had made a nice run forward. The left-back takes exception to the challenge as tempers start to boil over, with the Sporting midfielder then shoving his hand into the face of the Brazilian.
64'
SAFE HANDS FROM CUELLAR! Bale with the latest effort as he gets virtually a free header in the centre following a corner. He sends it towards goal with real power, but it's sent directly at Cuellar who holds on to prevent a rebound!
62'
Bale is fouled 25-yards out, just to the right of goal. He stands over the ensuing free kick, which suits a left footer like himself, but the end result is a letdown as his curling effort sails well over the bar.
60'
Ronaldo attempts the spectacular as he meets Bale's cross with a bicycle-kick in the centre. He scuffs the contact, however, and Bernardo is able to scramble the loose ball to safety.
58'
Sporting have to be commended with how they've gone about their business today. There's still plenty of time left, but if the first hour is any indication, they should have no problem staying up this season.
56'
J. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces Jesé.
Benitez has seen about enough as his side continue to struggle to carve out chances. As a result, James Rodriguez is introduced at the expense of Jese. That will likely see Ronaldo move into the number nine role, with Bale, Isco and the Colombian in behind him.
54'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid have lost just one of their last five matches when opening their La Liga campaign away from home, against Deportivo La Coruna in 2008 (W3, D1).
52'
Bale tries to power his way through along the right, beating Isma Lopez, but Nacho Cases lends a hand and out-muscles the Welshman to win back possession. That's been a common theme for Sporting in defence, as they offer plenty of support for one another.
50'
Real Madrid are trying to up the tempo now as they start to adopt some urgency to their approach. Danilo sends a cross in but Bernardo wins the aerial battle. It falls for Isco who again puts it into the area, but this time Cuellar is first to claim it.
48'
INCHES WIDE! Splendid cross in from the left that Varane deflects into the path of Carmona. The midfielder flies in with a scorching header, but bounces his effort just wide of the far post with Navas rooted to his spot.
46'
Here we go again!
45'
There's been very few stoppages in this first half and as a result the half-time whistle sounds on the stroke of 45 minutes.
43'
Sporting aren't backing down. It can be argued that they've been the more economic team in possession, pushing forward with real intent every time they win the ball back. They're throwing everything they have at Real Madrid and it's making for an entertaining match.
41'
Cuellar is commanding his area very well. He's showing plenty of confidence in his own penalty area, claiming every ball thrust into the area. That could prove vital as this match drags on.
39'
STAT ATTACK: Sporting Gijon have won just once in their last 12 meetings with Real Madrid in the league, and that victory came in the nation’s capital (D1, L10).
37'
PENALTY APPEALS DENIED! Back the other way come Real Madrid and Ronaldo is dragged down by Sergio Alvarez as a cross came in towards him. There was clean contact and it did appear to be more than enough of a tug for a penalty to be given.
36'
Nacho Cases gets yellow.
35'
OFF THE BAR! Oh my what an incredible chance that was for the hosts to steal the lead! Alberto Lora whips a deliciously-inviting ball in that Antonio Sanabria meets. His header rattles the underside of the bar and then bounces out off the line! Three quarters of the ball were across, but not enough for it to count!
33'
Ronaldo finally comes to life as he takes a return pass from 25-yards out and tries to power a shot in at the near post, but Cuellar is up to the task. That's their first shot on target in the match.
31'
Danilo and Marcelo are making constant runs on the overlap, but they're not being spotted soon enough. Los Blancos have been far too narrow with their approach play and, as we pass the half-hour mark, have yet to test Cuellar in goal.
29'
Real Madrid are growing frustrated with their inability to break down their opponents. Sporting are growing in stature with each passing moment and you can sense the belief building around the ground - which has also provided the hosts with a nice bit of confidence.
27'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid opened up their last two seasons against Real Betis and Cordoba. Both teams wound up being relegated those same years.
25'
Carmona has been exceptional for Sporting, their best player thus far in the first half. He's worked tirelessly running up and down the flank and has won the ball back for his side on a number of occasions with some well-orchestrated challenges.
23'
Ronaldo and Bale seem to be lacking chemistry in this first half. They're seemingly content with interchanging positions as they rotate playing out on the left and more centrally, but some miscommunication has seen them get in each others way more often that not.
21'
Close! Modric works to win the ball back in midfield and lays a pass off for Isco. The midfielder works a tidy one-two with Ronaldo, but he can't direct his curling effort in at the far post.
19'
Bale can't find a pass! Good build-up play as Modric again plays Bale through on the left. Jese and Ronaldo wait in the centre, but the Welshman is unable to sneak a pass by Bernardo.
17'
This has been a very positive start from Sporting. They haven't kept the ball for long periods, but they're picking out some threatening passes and have undoubtedly made life uncomfortable on Real Madrid as we approach the 20-minute mark.
15'
Sporting have already wavered from their high pressing, allowing Real Madrid much more time on the ball when they have it in their own end. The hosts are keeping their shape well in midfield, however, making Los Blancos work hard to find their openings.
13'
SIDE NETTING! Exceptional ball forward from Modric to play Bale through behind the defence. He rounds the keeper, but a bit of a heavy touch takes him to a tight angle as he fails to find the back of the net with his final effort.
11'
STAT ATTACK: Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last seven visits to El Molinon in the Spanish top flight (W5, D2). They haven’t conceded a single goal over that span.
9'
The end result is a letdown as Ronaldo's effort crashes into the wall before being cleared from danger. Good start from the hosts as they've been bent but refuse to break.
8'
Clumsy challenge from Luis Hernandez as he catches Gareth Bale from behind, with the attacker's back turned to goal. It was hardly a threatening attack, but it is now as Ronaldo stands over a free kick from just under 30-yards out...
6'
Luka Modric delivers a fine ball from a set piece, right into the danger area, but no one attacks it as Bernardo Espinoza can head clear. Real Madrid are settling in now as they start to control the bulk of possession.
4'
First chance to the visitors! A deflected clearance falls into the path of Cristiano Ronaldo in the left channel. He volleys a cross for Jese at the far post, but Ivan Cuellar is first to it.
3'
Gijon are pressing very high up the pitch early on and it's working for them as an errant pass from Sergio Ramos gifts them possession. Whether they can keep this tempo up over 90 minutes remains to be seen, but the fans certainly love the start.
1'
The Rafael Benitez era at Real Madrid is underway!
Hello football fans around the world and welcome to Spain! El Molinon is our venue as Sporting Gijon make their return to the top flight after a three-year absence, set to be greeted by Rafael Benitez and La Liga giants Real Madrid. I am Alex Moretto and I will be your in-game host, guiding you through the match LIVE as it happens.
Real Madrid have not spent the sort of money we're used to seeing from them, but the summer is far from over. The David De Gea saga rolls on, but the arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Inter this week has given Los Blancos fans something to be excited about. The young Croatian brings plenty of flair with him to the Santiago Bernabeu and should help provide some creativity from midfield. Rafael Benitez’s return to Spain promises to be an eventful one, having not coached in his native country since winning the title with Valencia in 2004. The capital club still have a few areas they can look to address as they try and unseat Barcelona atop the table, but the team is shaping up nicely as they get set to kick-off the new season.
Sporting Gijon are a popular pick to head right back down to the Segunda, as limited funds have once again forced coach Abelardo Fernandez to rely on youth to bring them salvation. The coach has an innate ability to work with these young players, as he showed a season ago in defying the odds to bring the club back to the top tier of Spanish football. Their trio of notable summer arrivals have all been brought in on loan, however, so it’s clear there’s no long-term planning being done at El Molinon as expectations remain tempered.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Navas; Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Isco, Bale, Ronaldo; Jese.
Rafael Benitez's first starting XI with Real Madrid appears to be a strong one at first glance. Newcomer Danilo makes his La Liga debut ahead of Daniel Carvajal. Sergio Ramos can focus on playing now following the signing of a new contract and he partners Raphael Varane in defence. There are few surprises in the side, with Gareth Bale always expected to feature in attack. Jese gets the call up top while Mateo Kovacic starts on the bench in what could prove to be his Real Madrid debut.
Abelardo Fernandez has named loanee Antonio Sanabria in his starting lineup. The Paraguayan teenager starts as a secondary striker behind Miguel Guerrero. Jony and Carlos Carmona provide the support, though they'll have to be sure to lend a hand in tracking the runs of Real Madrid's two attacking full-backs.
The atmosphere at El Molinon is always superb, but fans may have been a bit over-excited today as reports have come out that there were objects thrown at the Real Madrid team bus upon their arrival to the stadium.
SPORTING GIJON 0-0 REAL MADRID. In what's been a surprisingly even contest, there has been little to separate the two sides at the break. The hosts came within an inch of scoring via the head of Antonio Sanabria, while the visitors' best chance has been a penalty appeal which wasn't given by the referee.
SPORTING GIJON 0-0 REAL MADRID. Rafael Benitez's tenure gets off to a shaky start at El Molinon as they're held by Abelardo Fernandez and his newly-promoted Rojiblancos. It's not a winning return for Sporting, but it certainly has to feel that way as they pick up an impressive point to start the season.
There will be questions asked about Real Madrid and Rafa Benitez after this one, but the simple fact is they didn't take their chances. Sporting worked their tails off and just looked as though they wanted it a bit more.
I am Alex Moretto and I would like to thank you all for joining me here today. Good bye!
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