Real Madrid: Rafael Benitez defends goal-shy attack ahead of La Liga curtain-raiser

Rafael Benitez says he is unconcerned by Real Madrid's misfiring attack ahead of the La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon.

Goals from defenders Nacho and Marcelo gave Real an unconvincing 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in their final pre-season friendly on 19 August, with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both failing to impress.

The Spanish side's attack also drew a blank against Norwegian side Valerenga in the club's previous friendly - which ended in a goalless draw - and failed to register on the scoresheet in a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup.

But Benitez shrugged off concerns over the lack of goals in pre-season and backed his attacking players to come good against Sporting on 23 August.

"Cristiano had many chances [against Galatasaray], not worried, same about Bale, James [Rodriguez], Jese," ESPN quoted Benitez as saying.

"Most important is to make the chances, today we had 22 shots at goal. I am not worried about that at all.

"I am thinking more about [the forwards] closing off the opposition bringing out the ball from the back, stopping them making chances," he said.

Bale complements attack

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale was whistled once again by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd in the Galatasaray match, but Benitez defended the Welsh forward, saying his direct style would lend another dimension to the Real attack.

"Logically, that is the debate, with Isco, with James, with Bale, all of them in this zone," the Real Madrid manager said.

"What we look for is to blend the qualities the different players have. Gareth does not have the touches between the lines of Isco or James, he is more direct, but they can complement each other.

"I am not looking for what is ideal for any one player. The movements Bale makes can be very good for the team," he added.

The ex-Liverpool and Chelsea boss backed new signing Mateo Kovacic to be a "great player" for Madrid, but refused to be drawn on whether the Spanish giants were still interested in acquiring Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

"Keylor [Navas] had a very good game [against Galatasaray]. I have very good goalkeepers, Keylor did well, [Kiko] Casilla and Ruben [Yanez] are very good keepers. I will work with the three of them to the maximum," Benitez said.