Frustrated Real Madrid draw a blank in La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon

Real Madrid, hamstrung by the absence of four key forwards, drew their first blank of the season as they were held to a goalless draw by Sporting Gijon at El Molinon.Already without Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy because of injury, Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini also had to do without Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain for the trip to Gijon due to niggles, and without that forward power the big-spending capital club could not find the breakthrough.To put into perspective tonight's result, Madrid had smashed 11 goals past Sporting in their two meetings last season and coming into the encounter Pellegrini's troops had averaged over three goals a game this term, netting 31 times in just 10 league and Champions League games.