Welcome to The Euro Debrief, Sky Sports’ fresh weekly roundup where columnist Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives emerging from this week’s continental fixtures. This edition focuses on Real Madrid’s continued dominance under Jose Mourinho, the ripple effects across Europe’s top leagues, and a handful of surprise results that are already shaping the early season landscape.
Mourinho’s men have now secured three straight victories, the latest a commanding 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu. While the opposition has not yet presented a rigorous test, the performance offers clear evidence that the Portuguese tactician has begun to unlock the full potential of an increasingly deep and talented squad. The win was highlighted by a classic Trent Alexander‑Arnold delivery that produced an assist, and Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a midweek hat‑trick against Real Sociedad, added another goal to his tally. Yet it was Jude Bellingham who stole the spotlight, orchestrating play from the No.10 position and earning the accolade of man of the match.
Bellingham’s role at Madrid has been a subject of intense debate since his arrival. Former manager Carlo Ancelotti deployed the English midfielder in a variety of positions – deeper in midfield, on the flanks, and even as a forward – in an effort to harness his versatile skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should operate just behind Mbappé, linking the midfield to the attack.
The result has been a fluid partnership that appears to be flourishing. The synergy is perhaps unsurprising given their shared ambition. In 2024, Bellingham humorously confessed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, but beyond the joke they share a relentless drive and a demand for excellence from everyone around them.
The match also showcased Madrid’s bench depth. Arda Güler, introduced late, capped the scoring with the fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also featured as substitutes. The bench already includes the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and the previous week’s hero Carlos Espín, underscoring the squad’s breadth. As noted by Marca, Madrid has historically stumbled in games that appeared straightforward, but Mourinho’s early record suggests he may be steering the ship away from those pitfalls.
Moreover, there are no visible signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Júnior, indicating that the key figures are currently content and performing. Beyond the capital, other notable stories unfolded across Europe. Atletico Madrid snapped Sevilla’s surprising unbeaten run, while Troy Parrott provided a spark for Betis before they were overwhelmed by Levante.
Veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, at 37, continued his resurgence by netting for Deportivo in his third consecutive game. In LaLiga’s lower tier, Racing Santander finally broke their opening‑season duck with a 3-2 victory over Elche, employing a brand of football that many pundits described as uniquely daring for Spanish standards.
In Germany, Bayern Munich opened the Bundesliga with a 5-1 thrashing of Stuttgart, a result that highlighted their squad’s quality rather than Kane’s scoring prowess. New signing Ismael Saïbari, who replaced fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown, provided the assists for the final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saïbari’s adaptability, noting that he offers a different style from Nicolas Jackson and can complement Kane both centrally and on the wings, making him a valuable addition beyond a mere backup role. Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 win over Hamburg thanks to Giannis Konstantelias, who scored on his first start.
Unfortunately, the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament rupture, casting a shadow over Niko Kovač’s promising start to his tenure. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg, a club that only entered regional football in 2022 and has already climbed three tiers to challenge the champions.
The Bundesliga also produced individual fireworks: Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick propelled Freiburg past Werder Bremen, and Augsburg enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Schalke, with sporting director Benjamin Weber outlining the club’s strategy to continue overachieving despite limited resources. In Serie A, Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring against Como, but the match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors, thanks to a well‑executed press and a decisive finish from Martin Baturina, the Croatian midfielder who has become a focal point of Fabio Fabregas’s side. Inter Milan, already atop the table, displayed relentless attacking intent with 31 shots in a narrow 1-0 win over Cagliari, while AC Milan’s 2-0 triumph over Venezia highlighted Gonçalo Ramos’s involvement – eight attempts, one goal, and several missed chances – justifying the club’s €63 million investment in the Portuguese striker. Paris Saint‑Germain’s start remains shaky; a dramatic 2-2 draw with Lille required two stoppage‑time goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos.
Despite the resilience, PSG have now gone three games without a win. Conversely, Monaco maintain a perfect record after a 2-0 victory over Marseille, with teenage sensation Paris Brunner netting both goals. In the capital, Paris FC, not PSG, currently sit higher in the Ligue 1 table after a 3-0 win over Nice. In Portugal, Benfica’s Marco Silva must quickly address a home defeat to Académico de Viseu if he hopes to dethrone Francesco Farioli’s Porto, who have yet to concede a goal in four league wins.
Over in the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar remain the only unbeaten side, chasing a title they have not won since Steve McClaren’s 2009 campaign, while PSV displayed firepower with a 6-1 demolition of Utrecht. Ajax, under new manager Michel, have stabilized with seven wins and two draws, ensuring a Conference League berth despite a mixed start. Overall, the opening weeks across Europe have delivered a blend of expected dominance, surprising upsets, and individual brilliance.
As the season progresses, the narratives established here – Mourinho’s tactical refinement at Madrid, the emergence of young talents, and the battle for early supremacy in each league – will continue to evolve, offering fans a rich tapestry of football drama to follow.