The Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports column penned by Adam Bate, offers a concise roundup of the most compelling narratives emerging from this week’s continental fixtures. This edition focuses primarily on Real Madrid’s continued dominance under the stewardship of José Mourinho, as well as notable developments across the major European leagues.
Real Madrid have now secured three victories from three matches under Mourinho, highlighted by a commanding 4-0 triumph over Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu. While the opposition list has not yet presented a formidable challenge, the Portuguese manager appears to have uncovered a formula that extracts the maximum output from an increasingly deep and talented squad.
Among the standout moments, Trent Alexander‑Arnold delivered a classic, incisive assist, and Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a mid‑week hat‑trick against Real Sociedad, added another goal to his tally. Yet it was Jude Bellingham who attracted the most plaudits, operating in the No.10 role and dictating the tempo against Málaga.
Bellingham’s journey at Madrid has been one of positional experimentation. Under former boss Carlo Ancelotti, the English midfielder was deployed in various capacities—deeper in midfield, out wide, and even as a forward—leveraging his versatile skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should sit just behind Mbappé, linking play and providing the creative spark.
The partnership has already begun to bear fruit, with Bellingham’s intelligent movement and passing range complementing the French striker’s pace and finishing. The rapport between player and coach may not be entirely surprising. In 2024, Bellingham famously confessed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted anecdote that underscored a deeper mutual respect. Both men share an intense drive and a demand for excellence, pushing everyone around them to higher standards.
This shared mentality is evident in the way Madrid’s squad has responded, displaying cohesion and hunger despite the depth that could easily breed complacency. The second half saw further contributions from the bench.
Young Turkish talent Arda Güler entered the fray to net the fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also made appearances. The bench itself is a testament to Madrid’s depth, featuring the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and recent hero Carlos Espi, all ready to step in when called upon. Looking ahead, the fixtures will undoubtedly become more demanding. As noted in Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in matches that appeared routine on paper, but so far Mourinho’s side have navigated the early season without a hitch.
Moreover, there are no early signs of the rumored tension with Vinícius Júnior, suggesting that the key players are currently operating in harmony. Beyond the capital, other stories captured attention.
Atlético Madrid halted Sevilla’s surprising run, delivering a vital win. Troy Parrott impressed for Betis, though Levante ultimately overpowered his side. Meanwhile, 37‑year‑old Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang continued his scoring streak, netting for Deportivo for a third consecutive game.
Racing Santander finally tasted victory in LaLiga, securing a 3‑2 win over Elche after two winless outings. The club, which has oscillated between the top flight and the third tier in recent years, showcased a brand of football that stands out in Spain’s tactical landscape. Their coach, José Alberto, was previously interviewed by Bate about these unconventional tactics. In Germany, Bayern Munich opened the Bundesliga with a 5‑1 demolition of Stuttgart, underscoring the squad’s depth.
Notably, Harry Kane did not score; instead, new signing Ismael Saibari, who replaced fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown, provided two assists for the closing goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saibari’s versatility, noting that he can complement Kane on the wing and is far more than a mere backup. Borussia Dortmund, despite a 2‑0 victory over Hamburg, faced a setback as Greek winger Giannis Konstantelias suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his first start, ending his season prematurely.
The loss is a blow to Niko Kovač’s side, which had been enjoying an encouraging start under the new manager. Bayer Leverkusen experienced a sobering defeat, falling 3‑2 to newly promoted Elversberg. The latter’s meteoric rise—from regional football in 2022 to the Bundesliga in 2024—culminated in a stunning victory over the eventual champions, setting up a tantalising clash with Bayern later in the campaign. 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 for sustaining over‑achievement as they head into their 16th consecutive top‑flight season. In Serie A, Como upset Napoli 2‑1, with Rasmus Højlund’s goal for the Neapolitans proving insufficient against a well‑organized Cesc Fàbregas‑led side. Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina shone for Como, scoring the opener and providing the pressing intensity that led to Anastasios Douvikas’s winner. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, already atop the table, secured a narrow 1‑0 win at Cagliari, firing 31 shots and registering an expected‑goals tally of 3.91, reflecting their dominance despite the modest scoreline.
AC Milan’s 2‑0 victory over Venezia highlighted the impact of their £63 million investment in Gonçalo Ramos. The Portuguese forward generated eight chances, scoring once and forcing several high‑quality attempts, demonstrating why Milan were willing to part with a substantial fee. In Ligue 1, Paris Saint‑Germain’s shaky start continued with a 2‑2 draw at Lille, rescued by late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa, on loan from Nottingham Forest, struck on debut, while Olivier Giroud provided the assist for the opening goal.
Monaco remains the only unbeaten side after a 2‑0 win over Marseille, with Paris FC climbing to second place following a 3‑0 demolition of Nice. Portugal’s Primeira Liga sees Benfica, under Marco Silva, striving to dethrone Francesco Farioli’s Porto, who have kept a clean sheet in four matches. In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar maintains a perfect record, chasing their first title since Steve McClaren’s 2009 triumph, while PSV announced intent with a 6‑1 thrashing of Utrecht. Ajax, under new boss Michel, have secured seven wins and two draws, ensuring a Conference League spot despite ongoing domestic challenges.
Overall, the early weeks of the European season have delivered a blend of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and individual brilliance, setting the stage for an exhilarating campaign across all major leagues.