Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE La Liga matchcast as Real Madrid begin their campaign at Sporting Gijon. Team news will follow very shortly!

FULL-TIME: Sporting Gijon 0-0 Real Madrid

Ronaldo lines up the freekick from the edge of the box and everyone watching holds their breath. But true to form, the Portuguese winger smashes his effort into the wall.

Real Madrid are now going direct. They are playing it out to the wings and launching crosses into the box for Ronaldo to attack. Benitez's side seem to have run out of ideas.

The home crowd are sensing that their team are holding on here, and are raising the noise level. Sporting Gijon have given it everything they have and are minutes from a point.

Four minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the second half.

Benitez is waving everyone forward now. That's rather unlike him. He doesn't want Real Madrid's season to start with anything less than a win. They'd be trailing Atletico and Barcelona already.

Can Real Madrid find a breakthrough? They have dominated this second half, but the home side have held firm and are on course for a well-earned point on the opening weekend.

Real Madrid sub: Danilo OFF, Dani Carvajal ON.

RONALDO SHOT, CUELLAR STOP! That was an outstanding save from the Sporting Gijon keeper! Ronaldo hit that with so much power, but Cuellar prevents it from finding the top corner.

I'm not sure Kovacic has touched the ball yet since he has come on. I'm also not sure where he fits into this side. Benitez obviously likes him, but where does he have a role?

It's wave after wave of Real Madrid pressure now. But for the time being, Sporting Gijon look rather solid camped on the edge of their own box. But it only takes one mistake, one lapse.

You have to admire the way Sporting Gijon are digging deep here. They aren't really getting out of their own half any more, but they are defending with absolutely everything they have.

Real Madrid sub: Jony OFF, Alex Menendez ON.

THE FLAG SPARES RONALDO HIS BLUSHES! Danilo gets in behind the Sporting Gijon backline and squares for the number seven, but he can't stretch far enough to force it home. He was offside, though.

YELLOW CARD: Sergio Alvarez (Sporting Gijon)

Will those changes inject some life into the Sporting Gijon legs? They have tired as this game has progressed, but with those fresh faces they might find some fresh energy and drive.

Just before the change there was a chance for James, with the ball sprayed out to the Colombian on the right. But he decides to shoot when he probably should have made the pass.

On comes Kovacic for his Liga debut as a Real Madrid player. He was only signed from Inter Milan last week, but the pressure is already on the newbie to deliver for his new side.