Manuel Pellegrini was surprisingly relaxed after watching his Real Madrid held to a 0-0 draw by Sporting Gijon.

Real lacked firepower upfront with Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain absent from the first-team squad through injury, and it showed as Raul struggled to finish off chances as the lone striker.

"The first half was very even, but we completely dominated the second," Pellegrini told Marca after the game at El Molinon.

"After the break we passed the ball well and showed good defensive organisation, but we lacked the goal. We had a lot of chances.

"Sporting are a very organized team who are dangerous on the counter."

Pellegrini also defended his selection of Royston Drenthe, adding: "He tried to push them back down the right flank."

"Garay and Xabi Alonso's injuries were not serious, and they were taken off as a precaution."

Los Merengues next play Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu.