Rafael Benitez's Real Madrid still haven’t conceded a goal this season

The appointment of Rafa Benitez surprised many and Real Madrid’s attacking fluency is still under the spotlight, but there is no arguing with their defensive record. We look at their remarkable start to the season…

Benitez was under pressure from the outset following a goalless draw at Sporting Gijon to kick off the campaign.

Even when Real Betis were beaten 5-0 in the first game of the season at the Bernabeu, critics questioned Benitez's relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar was not among the scorers that day but concerns over his role in Benitez's formation dissipated when Ronaldo netted eight goals in the next two games.

Espanyol were demolished 6-0, with Ronaldo scoring five, before Shakhtar Donetsk were beaten 4-0 in the Champions League.

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A stuttering 1-0 victory over Granada at the weekend made it 16 goals without reply so far this season.

To put that achievement into context, it's the only season that Real Madrid have started a season by scoring more than four goals without a reply in the past decade.

It's a record that justifies Benitez's strategy of making the team well organised and relying on the talent of forward players to find an opening without overloading in attack.

"People call me defensive, but last year Napoli scored 104 goals, a club record," said Benitez following his arrival from Italy.

After beating Shakhtar, he added: "We have such strength in attack. So I am happy to have made many chances and not to have conceded a goal again."

This added defensive security comes as a result of a tweak to the formation made by Benitez. He talks about "flexibility" but has provided structure.

There is now greater protection for the back-four and the gaps between defence and midfield have narrowed. Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema take care of the rest.

"Instead of having just one holding midfielder he uses two because the front three do not defend," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports.

Instead of having just one holding midfielder he uses two because the front three do not defend.

"He makes sure he has at least six at the back and the full backs do not go forward as often. That means they are very safe at the back."

Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas has already bettered the club's record number of clean sheets at the start of a season in all competitions.

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If he can hold out against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night for another 72 minutes then he'll also eclipse Miguel Angel's 40-year-old La Liga record.

Navas only needs to hold out for another 10 minutes to match Iker Casillas's best effort at any point in a season - 460 minutes without conceding.

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That's some testament to Benitez's influence.

"Navas is about to break a historical record," added Balague. "It shows they are doing something right even though they would like to play better football."

Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid is live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 7.55pm on Wednesday