Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports column where Adam Bate curates the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This edition focuses on a string of noteworthy developments across Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and the Netherlands, with a particular spotlight on Jose Mourinho’s evolving relationship with Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. Real Madrid have now secured three victories from three league games under Mourinho, highlighted by a clinical 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu. While the early schedule has not been overly demanding, subtle indicators suggest that Mourinho has discovered a formula to unlock the full potential of a squad that is becoming increasingly deep and talented.
The match featured a familiar assist from Trent Alexander‑Arnold, whose pinpoint crossing once again set up a goal, and Kylian Mbappé, who added a second strike to his hat‑trick tally from the mid‑week encounter with Real Sociedad. Yet the standout performer was Jude Bellingham, who operated in a No.10 role and dictated the tempo of the game.
Bellingham’s influence was evident in his intelligent movement, link‑up play and occasional forays into the box, culminating in a performance that many observers described as the best on the pitch. Historically, Bellingham’s position at Madrid has been fluid. Under Carlo Ancelotti he was deployed in various capacities – deeper in midfield, out wide on the flanks, and even as a forward – to exploit his versatile skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his tactical blueprint: Bellingham should function as a creative conduit in front of Mbappé, allowing the French star to focus on penetrating runs while Bellingham supplies the decisive passes.
Early signs indicate that this partnership is already bearing fruit. The rapport between player and manager may not be entirely surprising.
In a 2024 interview, Bellingham humorously revealed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted anecdote that belies a deeper connection. Both men share an intense competitive drive and a demand for excellence from everyone around them, fostering a working environment where high standards are the norm. During the Malaga game, Arda Güler entered as a substitute and capped the victory with a fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also came off the bench. Their contributions underscored the depth of Mourinho’s roster, which now boasts a bench featuring Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and the previous week’s hero Carlos Espín.
Such quality in reserve offers Mourinho a wealth of options as the season progresses. Looking beyond Madrid, Atletico Madrid snapped Sevilla’s surprising winning streak with a solid performance, while Troy Parrott showed promise for Betis before they were outclassed by Levante.
Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, now 37, continued his resurgence by scoring for a third consecutive match with Deportivo. Racing Santander finally celebrated their first LaLiga victory after two defeats, edging Elche 3‑2 with a brand of football that defies conventional Spanish tactics. Their win reflects a remarkable journey from the third tier back to the top flight, highlighting the club’s resilience and innovative approach. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich opened the campaign with a dominant 5‑1 triumph over Stuttgart, showcasing the squad’s depth.
Notably, Harry Kane did not find the net; instead, new signing Ismael Saïbari, who replaced fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown, provided the assists for Bayern’s final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saïbari’s versatility, noting that he can complement Kane on the wing and offer a valuable alternative when the French striker is unavailable.
Borussia Dortmund secured a 2‑0 win against Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias in his first start. Unfortunately, the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury, forcing an early exit and casting a shadow over Niko Kovač’s promising start to his tenure.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen endured a shock 3‑2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg, a club that rose from regional football in 2022 to challenge the Bundesliga champions in their very first match. Freiburg’s Yuito Suzuki recorded a hat‑trick in a 4‑1 victory over Werder Bremen, and Augsburg enjoyed a comfortable 3‑0 win against Schalke. Augsburg’s sporting director Benjamin Weber discussed the club’s strategy for sustaining over‑achievement as they head into their sixteenth consecutive top‑flight season. In Serie A, Como produced a statement 2‑1 win over Napoli, with Rasmus Højlund’s goal for the visitors ultimately insufficient.
Cesc Fàbregas’s side impressed, particularly through the performances of Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina, whose pressing and creativity led to the decisive goal for Anastasios Douvikas. Inter Milan, already top of the table, recorded a narrow 1‑0 win over Cagliari, firing 31 shots and generating an expected‑goals tally of 3.91, underscoring their attacking dominance despite the modest scoreline. AC Milan’s 2‑0 victory over Venezia highlighted Gonçalo Ramos’s involvement; he produced eight attempts on goal and scored the opening strike, illustrating why Milan invested £63 million in the Portuguese forward. Although his finishing was not clinical, his constant threat makes him a valuable asset.
In France, Paris Saint‑Germain’s shaky start continued with a 2‑2 draw against Lille, rescued by late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa, on loan from Nottingham Forest, opened the scoring with a fine finish assisted by Olivier Giroud. PSG have now failed to win in three games, a concerning trend for the defending European champions. Monaco remains the only Ligue 1 side with a perfect record, having beaten Marseille 2‑0 thanks to a brace from teenage sensation Paris Brunner.
Meanwhile, Paris FC, not PSG, currently sits as the highest‑placed Parisian club after a 3‑0 triumph over Nice, propelling them to second place in the early standings. In Portugal, Benfica’s opening loss to Académico de Viseu has placed pressure on manager Marco Silva, who must challenge the dominant Porto side led by Francesco Farioli. Porto have already secured four wins without conceding a goal, setting a high bar for their rivals.
The Dutch Eredivisie sees AZ Alkmaar maintaining a flawless record as they chase a first title since Steve McClaren’s 2009 campaign. PSV, the reigning champions, displayed intent with a 6‑1 demolition of Utrecht, while Ajax’s new striker Tolu Arokodare continued his strong start, scoring his fourth goal in three matches during a 4‑0 away win at Telstar.
New Ajax manager Michel has guided the team to seven wins and two draws across all competitions, ensuring a place in the UEFA Conference League. Overall, the opening weeks of the European season have delivered a blend of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and intriguing tactical experiments.
Mourinho’s evolving partnership with Bellingham at Real Madrid exemplifies how a manager can adapt his philosophy to maximise the strengths of a versatile star, while the depth of squads across the continent suggests that the race for titles will be fiercely contested as the calendar advances.