José Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu has started with a clear message: this version of Real Madrid intends to look sharper, faster, and harder to shake. Three matches into the 2026/27 La Liga season, the club has taken maximum points and already looks more settled than many expected.
A Clean Start in League Play
Madrid opened with a tight 2-1 win away at Espanyol, then followed it with a convincing 4-1 home victory over Real Sociedad. On 30 August, they added another strong result by beating Málaga 4-0 at the Bernabéu, and they did it without conceding.
The latest win offered the clearest snapshot of what Mourinho is trying to build:
- Jude Bellingham scored first in the 19th minute
- Bellingham then forced an own goal seven minutes later
- Kylian Mbappé added the third
- Arda Güler, assisted by Vinícius Júnior, completed the scoring
That sequence mattered because it showed balance rather than chaos. Madrid attacked with purpose, kept control after taking the lead, and shut the door at the other end.
Why This Opening Matters
The numbers are simple: nine points from nine, top of the table, and a perfect defensive record in the most recent match. The larger point is that Mourinho did not manage three straight league wins at the start of any of his first three seasons in charge.
- 2010/11: 7 points from three matches
- 2011/12: 6 points from three matches
- 2012/13: 4 points from three matches
- 2026/27: 9 points from three matches
That makes this his strongest league opening across both Real Madrid spells. It is still early, of course, and a fast start does not guarantee a title push. Even so, the tone has changed quickly, and that matters at a club where patience usually runs thin.
Summer Spending Had a Clear Purpose
Madrid did not leave the squad untouched. The club invested close to £200 million in the rebuild, and the arrivals look tailored to specific needs rather than random additions.
- Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and made his first official start against Málaga
- Denzel Dumfries joined from Inter Milan and gives Madrid more thrust from right back
- Ibrahima Konaté came in on a free transfer from Liverpool to strengthen central defence
- Bernardo Silva signed from Manchester City on a free and adds experience, control, and proven quality in midfield
The idea is easy to read: improve the structure behind the front line so the attack can play with more freedom and less caution.
Bellingham Has More Room to Breathe
One of the most important tactical changes is where Bellingham now operates. Instead of crowding the same zones as Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, he is being used in a central pocket just behind them.
That gives Madrid a cleaner attacking shape. Bellingham can connect play, arrive late in dangerous areas, and stay involved without constantly competing for the same space as the forwards. It also allows the wide and advanced attackers to run beyond him, which suits their strengths better.
Mourinho Still Sounds Unfinished
Despite the promising start, Mourinho is not talking like a manager satisfied with three wins. After a preseason victory over Deportivo, he kept the focus on the work ahead and the standards still to come: “You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins.”
That kind of message fits him well. It keeps expectations high and prevents a good opening from turning into comfort. For Madrid, the early signs are encouraging, but the real test is whether this rhythm can last once the season gets heavier and the pressure rises.
