<!-- Article Start --> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that his side has to work harder on training ground after a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opening La Liga game against Sporting Gijon.</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: justify"></h3> . <p style="text-align: justify">Real Madrid were held to a rather drab goalless draw by Sporting Gijon in Beniteza s first competitive game in charge of the European giants.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Benitez played Garteh Bale in a central role as the no. 10 and young Jese Rodriguez was played as the centre-forward with Karim Benzema out due to injury. Cristiano Ronaldo was the focal point of the attack once Jese was subbed in the second half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Benitez admits Real Madrid have to work hard on training ground</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Following the disappointing draw, Rafael Benitez said he was "optimistic" but there was "more work to be done"</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Benitez was quoted saying by <a href="http://www.espnfc.com/real-madrid/story/2578716/real-madrid-rafa-benitez-optimistic-despite-gijon-draw">ESPN FC</a>: "I knew it was going to be a game that Sporting would make difficult for us.a </p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We needed to be rapid and precise. There were a lot of shots without precision. In the first half we gave Sporting their chances. There must be more work done."</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Benitez a optimistica following a much improved second half</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Real Madrid have scored in only 5 games off the 9 Rafael Benitez has managed them since taking over (competitive and non-competitive games combined).</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Following another goalless outing, pressure will only increase on the former Chelsea and Liverpool manager. Benitez said he was positive following a much improved second half which saw Real Madrid finish the game with 27 shots in total, eight on target, but still not find a way past the home keeper and former Atletico Madrid youth team player Ivan Cuellar.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Benitez said: "The reaction in the second half was good. The team showed character and personality. That makes me optimistic. The second half was a team which clearly went for the game. We just lacked the final pass and the finish."</p> <!-- Article End -->