Welcome to The Euro Debrief, the latest Sky Sports column where Adam Bate distils the most compelling narratives from this week’s continental fixtures. This edition focuses on Real Madrid’s continued dominance under Jose Mourinho, the ripple effects across other major leagues, and a handful of surprising results that are already shaping the season. Real Madrid have now secured three victories out of three under Mourinho, the most recent being a commanding 4-0 triumph over Malaga at the Bernabeu.
While the opposition list has not yet been brutally challenging, there are clear indications that Mourinho has discovered a formula to maximise the talent pool at his disposal. The win was highlighted by a classic Trent Alexander‑Arnold cross that produced a textbook assist, and Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a hat‑trick against Real Sociedad, added another goal to his tally. Yet the standout performer was Jude Bellingham, who operated in a No.10 role and dictated the tempo of the game. Bellingham’s journey at Madrid has been a study in positional flexibility.
Under Carlo Ancelotti he was deployed in deeper midfield positions, out wide, and even as a makeshift striker, reflecting his all‑round skill set. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should sit just behind Mbappé, linking play and exploiting the spaces between the lines.
The partnership appears to be flourishing, with Bellingham’s vision and ball‑carrying ability complementing the French forward’s speed and finishing. The rapport between player and manager is perhaps less surprising when one recalls that Bellingham once joked that Mourinho was his mother’s crush back in 2024. Beyond the humor, both share an intense competitive drive and a demanding nature that expects the highest standards from everyone around them.
This shared mentality seems to be translating into on‑field chemistry. The second half saw Arda Güler enter the fray and add a fourth goal, while Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva were also introduced from a bench that boasted depth rarely seen at any club.
Names like Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and the week‑ago hero Carlos Espi were all available, underscoring the squad’s breadth. Looking ahead, the schedule will inevitably become tougher. As noted in Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in games that appear straightforward on paper.
So far, Mourinho’s side has avoided those pitfalls, and there are no signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Júnior. The key players seem content and performing.
Elsewhere in LaLiga, Atletico Madrid snapped Sevilla’s surprising run of form with a solid win, while Troy Parrott impressed for Betis before they were overwhelmed by Levante. Veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, now 37, continued his resurgence by scoring for Deportivo A Coruña for the third consecutive match. Racing Santander finally broke their winless streak, securing a 3-2 victory over Elche in only their third league game. The club, which has bounced between the third tier and the top flight in recent years, displayed a brand of football that is unconventional in Spain, relying on high pressing and quick transitions that left opponents scrambling.
The day’s LaLiga results were as follows: 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 opened their Bundesliga campaign with a 5-1 demolition of Stuttgart, showcasing the depth of their squad.
Notably, Harry Kane did not find the net; instead, new signing Ismael Saibari made a decisive impact off the bench, assisting the final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saibari’s versatility, noting that he offers a different style from Nicolas Jackson and can operate effectively alongside Kane or on the flanks. Borussia Dortmund earned a 2-0 win over Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias, who started his first match for the club. Unfortunately, his celebration was cut short by a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him sidelined for months, a significant blow for Niko Kovač’s side given the promising start they have enjoyed.
Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg, a club that only entered regional football in 2022 before climbing three divisions in rapid succession. Their victory over the reigning champions on debut was a statement, and they now await a clash with Bayern Munich. Further Bundesliga highlights included Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick as Freiburg overcame Werder Bremen, and Augsburg’s 3-0 demolition of Schalke. Augsburg’s sporting director Benjamin Weber discussed the club’s strategy of overachieving through disciplined recruitment and tactical flexibility.
The Serie A spotlight fell on Napoli’s narrow 2-1 loss to Como, despite a fine strike from Rasmus Højlund. Como’s manager, former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fábregas, has built a cohesive unit with Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina emerging as a standout talent; Baturina’s pressing and goal‑creating play set up the winner for Anastasios Douvikas. Inter Milan continue to dominate the table, having won their first four matches, including a 1-0 victory at Cagliari where they registered 31 shots and an expected‑goals tally of 3.91. Substitutes Curtis Jones and John Stones added fresh legs to an already potent attack.
AC Milan’s 2-0 win over Venezia highlighted the impact of their £63 million signing, Gonçalo Ramos. Ramos produced a busy display, taking eight shots and creating several chances, underscoring why Milan invested heavily and why Paris Saint‑Germain were willing to let the Portuguese striker move on. In Ligue 1, Paris Saint‑Germain were forced to dig deep, salvaging a 2-2 draw at Lille with late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos, extending their winless run to three games. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa scored on debut, assisted by Olivier Giroud, who also provided the pass for Vitinha’s equaliser.
Monaco remain the only team with a perfect record after a 2-0 win over Marseille, with teenager Paris Brunner netting both goals. Paris FC, not PSG, currently sit highest among Parisian clubs after a convincing 3-0 victory over Nice, propelling them to second place in the fledgling Ligue 1 table. In Portugal, Benfica’s opening loss to Académico de Viseu has put pressure on manager Marco Silva as he attempts to dethrone Francesco Farioli’s Porto, who have already amassed four wins without conceding. The Dutch Eredivisie sees AZ Alkmaar maintaining a flawless start as they chase a first title since Steve McClaren’s tenure in 2009.
PSV, the reigning champions, announced their intent with a 6-1 thrashing of Utrecht, while Ajax’s new forward Tolu Arokodare added a fourth goal in three games during a 4-0 win away at Telstar. New Ajax boss Michel has steadied a turbulent season, delivering seven wins and two draws across all competitions, securing a place in the UEFA Conference League. Overall, the early weeks of the European season have delivered a mixture of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and emerging storylines that promise an exciting campaign across all the major leagues.
Stay tuned for further analysis and in‑depth interviews as the season unfolds.