Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports feature where Adam Bate distils the most compelling narratives from the weekend's continental fixtures. This edition focuses on Real Madrid’s flawless start under Jose Mourinho, the ripple effects across LaLiga, and the early twists in Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. Real Madrid have now secured three straight victories, the latest a commanding 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Bernabeu.
While the opening fixtures have not been overly demanding, there are clear indications that Mourinho has begun to unlock the full potential of an increasingly deep and talented squad. The Portuguese tactician appears to have found a tactical formula that maximises the contributions of his star players while also giving younger talents meaningful minutes. The match against Malaga showcased the usual Madrid fireworks. Trent Alexander‑Arnold delivered a classic, pinpoint cross that resulted in his trademark assist, and Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a mid‑week hat‑trick versus Real Sociedad, added another goal to his tally.
Yet it was Jude Bellingham who stole the spotlight, operating from the No.10 position and dictating the tempo of the game. His intelligent movement, incisive passing and occasional forays into the box made him the most influential figure on the pitch. Bellingham’s role at Madrid has been fluid since his arrival.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, the English midfielder was deployed in a variety of positions – deeper as a pivot, wider on the flanks, and even as a second striker – reflecting his versatile skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should function just behind Mbappé, linking midfield and attack. The result has been a seamless partnership that allows the French forward to roam freely while Bellingham supplies the creative spark and defensive cover required in a high‑press system. The rapport between player and manager may not be a surprise.
In 2024 Bellingham famously confessed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted anecdote that hinted at a deeper mutual respect. Both men share an intense competitive drive and a demand for excellence from everyone around them.
This shared mentality appears to be translating into on‑field cohesion. Substitutes also played a part in the victory. Arda Güler entered the fray to net the fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva came off the bench, highlighting the depth of a squad that now includes Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and the previous week’s hero Carlos Espi.
Such depth is a luxury that few clubs possess, and it gives Mourinho a plethora of options when rotating his lineup. Looking ahead, the schedule will inevitably become tougher. As noted in Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in matches that appear straightforward on paper. So far, Mourinho has avoided those pitfalls, and there is no sign of any brewing tension with Vinícius Júnior – a relationship that has occasionally been fraught at the Bernabeu.
The harmony within the squad suggests that the key players are responding well to Mourinho’s exacting standards. Beyond Madrid, other LaLiga stories added colour to the weekend. Atletico Madrid halted Sevilla’s surprising winning streak, delivering a solid performance that re‑asserted their defensive resilience. Troy Parrott impressed for Betis, but his side was ultimately outclassed by Levante.
Meanwhile, veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, at 37, continued his resurgence by scoring for Deportivo A Coruña for the third consecutive match. Racing Santander finally celebrated their first top‑flight win of the season after two defeats, edging Elche 3-2 with a brand of football that stands out in Spain for its daring and fluidity. Their ascent from the third tier to LaLiga in a short span underscores the unpredictable nature of Spanish football.
The LaLiga scoreboard reflected the diverse outcomes: Racing Santander 3-2 Elche, Alavés 1-0 Villarreal, Levante 5-2 Real Betis, Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol, Sevilla 1-3 Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid 4-0 Malaga, Deportivo A Coruña 3-1 Valencia, Celta Vigo 0-2 Athletic Club. In Germany, Bayern Munich kicked off their Bundesliga campaign with a resounding 5-1 victory over Stuttgart, showcasing the squad’s depth even without a goal from Harry Kane.
New signing Ismael Saibari made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to replace fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown and providing assists for Bayern’s final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saibari’s versatility, noting that he offers a different style to Nicolas Jackson and can operate effectively alongside Kane or on the wings. Bayern’s dominant start reinforces the perception that the German champions have strengthened across the board. However, Borussia Dortmund’s news was bittersweet.
While they secured a 2-0 win over Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias in his first start, the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will sideline him for an extended period. The loss is a blow to Niko Kovač’s side, especially given the promising start he has engineered at the club.
Bayer Leverkusen endured a shock defeat, falling 3-2 to newly promoted Elversberg. The modest club, only a year ago playing regional football, has surged through three promotions to find themselves competing in the Bundesliga. Their victory over the 2024 champions on debut is a fairy‑tale beginning, and they will face Bayern Munich in the next round of fixtures. Other Bundesliga highlights included Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick for Freiburg against Werder Bremen and Augsburg’s 3-0 triumph over Schalke.
Augsburg’s sporting director Benjamin Weber discussed the club’s strategy of over‑achieving with limited resources, emphasizing disciplined recruitment and a strong team ethos. The Bundesliga results summary: Bayern Munich 5-1 Stuttgart, Elversberg 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen, Cologne 3-2 Hoffenheim, Mainz 0-0 Paderborn, RB Leipzig 3-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach, Union Berlin 3-3 Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hamburg, Freiburg 4-1 Werder Bremen, Augsburg 3-0 Schalke. In Serie A, the most notable upset came as Como defeated Napoli 2-1.
Despite a fine strike from Rasmus Højlund, Napoli could not overcome the well‑organized side built by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. Croatian youngster Martin Baturina shone, scoring the opener and providing the pressing that led to Anastasios Douvikas’s winner. Meanwhile, the league’s early leaders – Inter, Juventus, Lazio and AC Milan – each secured victories in their first four matches. Inter, already atop the table, beat Cagliari 1-0 in Sardinia, generating 31 shots and an expected‑goals tally of 3.91, underscoring their dominance.
Curtis Jones and John Stones entered as substitutes, adding quality depth. AC Milan’s 2-0 win over Venezia highlighted Gonçalo Ramos’s involvement; the Portuguese striker, acquired for a reported £63 million, produced eight attempts and four clear chances, illustrating why Milan invested heavily in him despite occasional inefficiency. In France, Paris Saint‑Germain continued their uneven start, salvaging a 2-2 draw at Lille with late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. The match featured a debut strike from Lille loanee Dilane Bakwa, set up by Olivier Giroud, but PSG ultimately needed stoppage‑time drama to avoid defeat.
Their recent fixtures have been against tough opponents – Rennes and Lille – leaving only Monaco with a perfect record after a 2-0 win over Marseille, where teenager Paris Brunner scored both goals. Paris FC, not PSG, currently occupies the highest position for a Parisian club, having thrashed Nice 3-0 to climb to second place in the fledgling Ligue 1 table.
Ligue 1 results: Lille 2-2 PSG, Strasbourg 2-1 Lens, Auxerre 1-3 Angers, Brest 2-2 Toulouse, Lorient 1-2 Troyes, Lyon 1-1 Le Havre, Paris FC 3-0 Nice, Rennes 3-2 Le Mans, Monaco 2-0 Marseille. In Portugal, Benfica’s opening loss to Académico de Viseu has put pressure on manager Marco Silva, who now faces the task of challenging Francesco Farioli’s dominant Porto side, which remains unbeaten and has not conceded a goal in four league matches. Across the border in the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar boasts the only unbeaten record, aiming for their first Eredivisie title since Steve McClaren’s 2009 triumph.
PSV, the defending champions, announced their intent with a 6-1 demolition of Utrecht, while Ajax’s new forward Tolu Arokodare continued his prolific start, scoring his fourth goal in three games during a 4-0 away win at Telstar. New Ajax boss Michel has guided the team to seven wins and two draws across all competitions, securing a place in the UEFA Conference League and setting up a crucial clash with PSV next weekend. Overall, the opening weekend across Europe has delivered a blend of expected dominance, surprise upsets, and individual brilliance.
Mourinho’s ability to harness Bellingham’s creativity, Bayern’s depth, and the rise of underdogs like Elversberg and Racing Santander illustrate the unpredictable excitement that defines this season’s football narrative.