Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a fresh Sky Sports column where Adam Bate distills the most compelling narratives from the latest continental fixtures. This edition covers a whirlwind of action across Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal, with a special focus on how Jose Mourinho is unlocking the full potential of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. Real Madrid have now secured three victories from three matches under Mourinho, highlighted by a commanding 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Bernabeu.
The schedule so far has not been overly demanding, yet the results suggest that Mourinho has discovered a formula to harness the depth and talent of a squad that continues to grow richer by the day. The Malaga game featured a familiar assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Kylian Mbappe, fresh off a hat‑trick against Real Sociedad, added another goal to his tally.
However, it was Bellingham who stole the spotlight, operating in the No.10 role and dictating play with poise and vision. Throughout his Madrid tenure, the English midfielder has been deployed in a variety of positions – deeper midfield under Carlo Ancelotti, out wide, and even as a forward – but Mourinho has now settled on a partnership where Bellingham plays just behind Mbappe. The synergy between the two has been evident, with Bellingham’s creativity feeding Mbappe’s lethal finishing. The rapport between player and coach may not be surprising.
In 2024 Bellingham famously admitted that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a light‑hearted confession that hinted at a deeper mutual respect. Both men share an intense drive and a demanding mindset, expecting nothing less than total commitment from everyone around them.
This shared mentality appears to be translating into on‑field success. The fourth goal came from young Turkish talent Arda Güler, who entered the match as a substitute. Other fresh faces such as Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also featured off the bench, highlighting a bench that boasts the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and the previous week’s hero Carlos Espinosa.
The depth of Madrid’s roster is now unmistakable, and Mourinho seems comfortable rotating his squad without sacrificing quality. Looking ahead, the challenge will inevitably intensify. As noted in Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in games that appear straightforward, but so far Mourinho has avoided those pitfalls.
Moreover, there are no visible signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Junior; instead, the key players appear to be thriving under his guidance. Beyond Madrid, the column touches on several other noteworthy results. Atletico Madrid snapped Sevilla's surprising winning streak, while Troy Parrott impressed for Betis despite a heavy defeat at the hands of Levante.
Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, now 37, continued his scoring run with a third consecutive goal for Deportivo. Racing Santander finally recorded their first LaLiga win after two defeats, edging Elche 3-2 with a brand of football that stands out in Spain.
Their resurgence, after recent spells in the third tier, underscores the unpredictable nature of the league. In Germany, Bayern Munich opened the Bundesliga with a 5-1 thrashing of Stuttgart, showcasing the depth that has become a hallmark of the club. Harry Kane did not find the net, but new signing Ismael Saibari made an immediate impact by assisting the final two goals after replacing fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saibari’s versatility, noting that he can complement Kane and also operate effectively on the wings.
Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 win over Hamburg thanks to Giannis Konstantelias, who scored on his first start. Unfortunately, the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury, forcing him off the pitch and delivering a significant blow to Niko Kovac’s side, which had been enjoying an encouraging start to the season.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat to newly promoted Elversberg, a club that ascended from regional football in just three seasons. Their upset illustrates the competitive balance in the Bundesliga and sets up a tantalising clash with Bayern Munich later in the campaign. Other Bundesliga highlights include Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick for Freiburg against Werder Bremen, and Augsburg’s 3-0 victory over Schalke, with sporting director Benjamin Weber discussing the club’s strategy for sustained over‑achievement.
In Serie A, Como delivered a statement win over Napoli, 2-1, with Martin Baturina’s pressing play creating the decisive chance for Anastasios Douvikas. While Inter, Juventus, Lazio and AC Milan have each won their first four matches, Inter currently sit atop the table after a narrow 1-0 victory at Cagliari, a result that belies the dominance they displayed in terms of shots and expected goals.
AC Milan’s 2-0 triumph over Venezia featured an industrious performance from Gonçalo Ramos, who, despite missing several big chances, justified his £63m transfer fee with relentless effort and a crucial goal. His work rate exemplifies why Milan invested heavily in him and why PSG were willing to let him go.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain continued their uneven start, salvaging a 2-2 draw at Lille with late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa scored on debut, assisted by Olivier Giroud, but PSG’s resilience kept them in the game.
Meanwhile, Monaco remain the only team with a perfect record after a 2-0 win over Marseille, thanks to a brace from young prodigy Paris Brunner. Paris FC, not PSG, currently hold the highest league position for a Parisian club after a 3-0 victory over Nice. Portugal’s title race is already heating up.
Benfica, after dropping points to Académico de Viseu, face a daunting task to unseat Porto, who have won their first four league games without conceding. In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar sit alone with a perfect record, while PSV announced their intent with a 6-1 demolition of Utrecht. Ajax, under new manager Michel, have secured seven wins and two draws across all competitions, ensuring a place in the Europa Conference League despite recent domestic struggles. Overall, the early weeks of the European season have delivered a mixture of dominant displays, surprising upsets, and compelling storylines.
Mourinho’s evolving partnership with Bellingham at Real Madrid stands out as a key narrative to watch, as the Portuguese tactician continues to adapt his squad and extract peak performances from his star midfielders. The coming weeks will test the depth of these squads and reveal whether the early momentum can be sustained across the grueling months ahead.