Welcome to The Euro Debrief, Sky Sports' fresh weekly column where Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This edition focuses on a dominant display by Real Madrid, the ripple effects across Europe’s top leagues, and a handful of surprise results that are already shaping the season. Real Madrid have now secured three wins from three under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, opening the latest matchday with a clinical 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the iconic Bernabeu.
While the opposition has not presented a particularly arduous schedule so far, there are clear indications that Mourinho has begun to unlock the full potential of an increasingly deep and talented squad. The game featured a familiar assist from Trent Alexander‑Arnold, whose pinpoint crossing once again proved decisive. Kylian Mbappé, fresh from a hat‑trick against Real Sociedad earlier in the week, added another goal to his tally, further cementing his status as a prolific scorer. However, the standout performer was undoubtedly Jude Bellingham, who operated in a No.10 role and dictated the tempo with composure and vision.
Bellingham’s journey at Madrid has been a lesson in versatility. Under Carlo Ancelotti he was deployed in various positions – deeper in midfield, out wide, and even as a forward – to exploit his broad skill set.
Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his tactical blueprint: Bellingham should function just behind Mbappé, linking midfield and attack. The experiment appears to be paying dividends, as the English midfielder’s movement, passing range, and occasional goal contributions have added a new dimension to the team’s offensive play.
The chemistry between Mourinho and Bellingham may not be entirely unexpected. In 2024 the young star humorously confessed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted anecdote that hinted at a deeper mutual admiration. Both men share an intense competitive drive and a demand for excellence from everyone around them, creating a partnership built on shared ambition. The fourth goal was netted by Arda Güler, who came off the bench to showcase his finishing instinct.
Substitutes Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also featured, highlighting the depth of a bench that already includes the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and recent hero Carlos Espi. Such depth is a luxury that few clubs can boast, and it underscores why Mourinho’s squad can rotate without a noticeable drop in quality.
Looking ahead, the fixtures will inevitably become tougher. As noted by Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in matches where they underestimate opponents.
So far, Mourinho’s side has avoided those pitfalls, and there are no signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Júnior, suggesting that the key players are responding positively to the manager’s methods. Beyond the capital, other notable results emerged across Spain’s top flight. Atletico Madrid halted Sevilla’s surprising run with a solid win, while Troy Parrott sparked a brief revival for Betis before they were overwhelmed by Levante.
Veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, now 37, continued his scoring streak with a third consecutive goal for Deportivo. Racing Santander finally broke their winless start to the LaLiga campaign, defeating Elche 3‑2 in what can only be described as a bold, high‑pressing display. The club, which has bounced between the third tier and the top flight in recent years, employed a brand of football that is rare in Spain – a relentless, attacking approach that paid off. The full slate of LaLiga results for the weekend reads: 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 commanding 5‑1 victory over Stuttgart, showcasing the depth of a squad that can win even without Harry Kane finding the net. New signing Ismael Saïbari made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to replace fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown and providing assists for the final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saïbari’s versatility, noting that he offers a different style to Nicolas Jackson and can operate effectively alongside Kane or out wide. Borussia Dortmund’s weekend was bittersweet.
They secured a 2‑0 win over Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias in his first start, but the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him sidelined for months. The loss is a significant blow to Niko Kovač’s side, which had been enjoying an encouraging start to the season. Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, suffered a shock 3‑2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg. The modest club, which only entered the Bundesliga in 2022, has already demonstrated an ability to compete with the league’s elite, and their victory over the reigning champions signals that the season could be full of surprises.
Other Bundesliga highlights include Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick as Freiburg overwhelmed 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 ethic. The Serie A roundup featured a dramatic win for Como, who edged Napoli 2‑1 despite Rasmus Höjlund’s quality goal for the visitors. Cesc Fàbregas’s side impressed with a balanced midfield, and Croatian youngster Martin Baturina shone, scoring the opener and providing the pressing that led to the winner.
Inter Milan continue to dominate the table, having already secured four straight victories, while AC Milan’s 2‑0 win over Venezia highlighted Gonçalo Ramos’s involvement in a high‑tempo attack that justified his £63 million fee. In Ligue 1, Paris Saint‑Germain’s shaky start persisted with a 2‑2 draw at Lille, rescued by late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa scored on debut, assisted by Olivier Giroud.
Monaco remain the only unbeaten side after a 2‑0 victory over Marseille, with teenager Paris Brunner netting both goals. Paris FC, not PSG, currently sit second after a 3‑0 win over Nice.
Portugal’s Primeira Liga saw Benfica, under Marco Silva, struggle after a home loss to Académico de Viseu, while Porto maintain a perfect record and have yet to concede a goal. In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar are the sole team with a flawless start, chasing a first title since Steve McClaren’s 2009 triumph. PSV demonstrated intent with a 6‑1 demolition of Utrecht, and Ajax’s new striker Tolu Arokodare added a fourth goal in three games during a 4‑0 away win at Telstar. Overall, the opening weekend across Europe has delivered a mix of expected dominance, surprise upsets, and promising individual performances.
As the season unfolds, managers will be judged on how they adapt tactics, manage squad depth, and keep key players fit – especially in light of injuries like Konstantelias’s. Fans can look forward to more drama, tactical battles, and the inevitable quest for silverware as the campaign progresses.