José Mourinho’s return has given Real Madrid a sharper edge, and the early signs are hard to ignore. Three league matches in, the team has taken nine points from nine, sat on top of the table, and looked far more organised than it has in recent seasons.
A Fast Start With No Wasted Time
Real Madrid began the campaign with a gritty 2-1 road win over Espanyol, then followed it with a convincing 4-1 home victory against Real Sociedad. On August 30, they finished the week with a dominant 4-0 result against Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu, and they did it without conceding.
The latest match captured the mood around the club: controlled, aggressive, and efficient.
- Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute.
- He then forced an own goal seven minutes later to double the lead.
- Kylian Mbappé added the third goal.
- Arda Güler, set up by Vinícius Júnior, finished the scoring.
That is the kind of clean, ruthless night that usually signals a team is beginning to settle into a clear identity.
A Better Opening Than Mourinho’s First Spell
The most striking part of the run is that Mourinho did not manage this kind of league start during any of his first three seasons in charge. Even across a long and demanding first stay, Madrid never opened with three straight wins.
- 2010/11: 2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points
- 2011/12: 2 wins, 1 loss, 6 points
- 2012/13: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points
- 2026/27: 3 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses, 9 points
It is still early, and three games can only tell part of the story, but the current start is the strongest Mourinho has ever delivered at the club. In a season where Madrid need stability, that matters.
The Squad Has Been Rebuilt Around His Ideas
This is not the same group Mourinho inherited in June. Madrid backed the manager with major summer spending and added players who fit specific roles rather than collecting names for the sake of it.
- Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and brought energy on the left side.
- Denzel Dumfries joined from Inter Milan and gives the team real width and drive from right back.
- Ibrahima Konaté came in on a free transfer from Liverpool to strengthen the heart of defence.
- Bernardo Silva also arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City, adding craft and experience in midfield.
That kind of recruitment usually makes a system easier to define, and Madrid already look more balanced as a result.
Bellingham Has More Space to Influence Games
The clearest tactical shift is Bellingham’s role. Instead of crowding the same areas as Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, he is now operating in the pocket just behind them. That gives Madrid a more natural attacking shape.
The idea is simple: let the wide threats stretch defences, let Bellingham arrive in central spaces, and trust the improved back line to handle whatever slips through. It is not complicated, but it is effective when the personnel fit.
Mourinho Is Not Calling It Finished
For all the positive signs, Mourinho has kept the message measured. After a pre-season win over Deportivo, he pointed ahead rather than celebrating the moment.
“You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins.”
That tone suits him. Madrid have had a good opening, but they have also gone two seasons without a major trophy, so the real test is whether this sharp start can become something lasting. Right now, the signs suggest Mourinho is building a side that wants control, clarity, and results all at once.