The Blancos official pinned blame on official Javier
Fernandez and defended the Blancos' showing despite failing to score
against the newly-promoted team
Match official Javier Fernandez deemed Sergio Alvarez's challenge on the Portuguese star fair, much to the frustration of the visitors, who could not find the breakthrough in an inauspicious return to La Liga for Rafael Benitez.
The controversial call ultimately cost the Blancos an opening day win according to Butragueno, who defended the team's performance in spite of them failing to score.
"There was the incident in the first half when Ronaldo was pulled when he had the advantage," the official told Canal Plus after the match. "It was clear from replays that it was a penalty, but the referee did not see it that way.
"It was a very difficult game for us. We had to face a very seasoned team who pushed high up the pitch in front of a passionate home crowd.
"We regularly pushed into the Gijon box but couldn't find the goal that would give us peace in the first half.
"We made the game ours in the second half and had them under siege, but goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar was brilliant. The team deserved to win going by the number of chances we had and it was not the result we expected.
"Nevertheless, the team put in a great effort despite not getting the win. Now we have to focus on the next clash against Real Betis."
The former Madrid striker then praised new signing Mateo Kovacic, who was thrown on in a bid to break the deadlock just five days after his arrival from Inter in the 70th minute.
"He came on at a very difficult time and proved he had personality, wanting the ball against a team that were determined to defend," Butragueno concluded.
Benitez will be desperate for his first win as Madrid coach against Betis next Saturday, when his team host the promoted outfit at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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