Real Madrid drew a blank against Sporting Gijon on the opening weekend of the new La Liga season.

Rafael Benitez's side dominated the majority of the contest, but could not find the back of the net against the newly-promoted hosts.

As a result, Los Blancos are already two points behind expected title challengers Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at how each player performed on the night.

SPORTING GIJON

Goal

Ivan Cuellar: Man-of-the-match performance from the Sporting goalkeeper, who made a host of excellent saves in the second period. A fine start to the new campaign. (8/10)

Defence

Alberto Lora: Not far behind in the man-of-the-match stakes. Was a constant source of energy in a wide area and was also nice and solid at the back for the home team. (8/10)

Luis Hernandez: As expected, had to defend deep on a number of occasions, but the centre-back cleared everything that came into his own box from a wide area. (7/10)

Bernardo Espinosa: Used every inch of his towering frame to help keep the Real Madrid forwards in check. Was also neat and tidy in possession of the football. (7/10)

Isma Lopez: Not as involved as Lora on the opposite side, but still put in a strong shift at left-back. Did a good job of keeping Gareth Bale in check for long spells. (7/10)

Midfield

Antonio Sanabria: Young Paraguay international made his debut after joining on loan from Roma and contributed with an energetic and classy performance in a wide position. (7/10)

Sergio Alvarez: A touch fortunate not to concede a penalty in the first period after pulling Cristiano Ronaldo to the ground. Was otherwise excellent though. (7/10)

Nacho Cases: Picked up a yellow card late in the first period, but that did not stop the Spaniard from making challenges in the second. Worked really hard in the middle of the park. (7/10)

Carlos Carmona: Had a golden chance to open the scoring early in the second period, but saw his close-range header flash wide of the post. Was a threat in a forward area. (7/10)

Jony: Did his best to make things happen in a wide area, but did not really see enough of the ball. Was replaced by Alex Menendez for the final 15 minutes of action. (6/10)

Attack

Miguel Guerrero: Came so close to scoring in the first period, but his powerful header smashed the crossbar before bouncing onto the line. Never stopped working in the final third. (7/10)

Substitutes

Juan Muniz: Replaced Guerrero for the final 20 minutes and did well to pick up the pace of the match. That said, did not have an awful lot of service late on. (6/10)

Alex Menendez: Introduced for Jony late on as the home side attempted to hold on for a point. Provided an extra body at the back and made some good clearances. (6/10)

Rachid Ait-Atmane: Only given the final five minutes of action. (6/10)

REAL MADRID

Goal

Keylor Navas: Had his slippers on for long spells of the contest. Did not have a single save to make, but was worried on a couple of occasions throughout the match. (6/10)

Defence

Danilo: Had a really strong first period as he used his pace and power from a defensive position. Faded a little in the second half, however, and was eventually replaced by Dani Carvajal. (7/10)

Raphael Varane: Had a super game at the back for Los Blancos. Looks like he will keep Pepe out of the first XI this season and this was an excellent way to start the campaign. (8/10)

Sergio Ramos: Strong performance from the new skipper, who was rarely troubled at the back. Had the pace and knowhow to escape a number of potentially dangerous situations. (7/10)

Marcelo: Usually such a threat from left-back, but the Brazilian had a fairly quiet game. Had a half-chance to win it late on, but headed over the crossbar from inside the box. (6/10)

Midfield

Toni Kroos: As expected, the German was neat and tidy in possession of the ball, but he was too deep on a number of occasions and failed to take the game by the scruff of its neck. (6/10)

Luka Modric: Played a number of super passes, which set up opportunities, and on another evening he would have had a couple of assists. Classy performance once again. (7/10)

Isco: Saw two rasping efforts just clear the crossbar in the first period and was involved in a lot of what Real Madrid put together. Surprisingly replaced in the 71st minute. (7/10)

Attack

Gareth Bale: Was Real Madrid's best player in the first period as he impressed from a central area. Missed a couple of decent chances, however, before fading a touch as the match progressed. (7/10)

Jese Rodriguez: Given the chance to lead the line in Karim Benzema's absence, but was too keen to receive the ball in a wide area. Replaced early in the second period by James Rodriguez. (6/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Had a number of chances, especially in the second period, but it just did not happen for the Portuguese. A very frustrating night of football. (6/10)

Substitutes

James Rodriguez: Added a different dimension to the Real Madrid attack after entering in the 56th minute, but like a number of his teammates, was ultimately left frustrated. (6/10)

Mateo Kovacic: Came on for his Real Madrid debut in the 71st minute and proved a steady presence in the middle of the park. Could be a big player for Rafael Benitez this season. (6/10)

Dani Carvajal: Would have been disappointed not to have started, but showed a good attitude after entering for the final five minutes of action. (6/10)