Welcome to The Euro Debrief, Sky Sports' fresh weekly roundup where columnist Adam Bate distils the most compelling narratives emerging from this week’s continental fixtures. This edition focuses on Real Madrid’s flawless start under Jose Mourinho, the ripple effects across LaLiga, and the early-season storylines shaping the top leagues in Europe. Real Madrid have now secured three wins from three matches under Mourinho, highlighted by a dominant 4-0 victory over Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu. While the opposition has not yet presented a truly daunting challenge, the performance offers clear evidence that Mourinho has begun to extract the maximum from a squad that is deeper and more talented than ever before.
The win was a showcase of tactical flexibility, squad depth, and the growing chemistry between the Portuguese manager and his new signings. The match opened with the usual flair associated with Madrid, but it was the subtle adjustments that caught the eye.
Trent Alexander‑Arnold, playing a more advanced role than he typically occupies at Liverpool, delivered a trademark cross that resulted in a pinpoint assist. Kylian Mbappé, who had already netted a hat‑trick against Real Sociedad earlier in the week, added another goal, reinforcing his status as a lethal finisher in the Spanish league. However, the standout performer was Jude Bellingham, who operated in the No.10 position and dictated the tempo of the game. Bellingham’s movement between the lines, his ability to link midfield and attack, and his composure under pressure made him the most influential player on the pitch.
Bellingham’s role at Madrid has been a subject of intense debate since his arrival. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he was deployed in a variety of positions – deeper as a central midfielder, out wide on the right, and even as a forward. Mourinho, however, has been explicit about his vision: Bellingham should play just behind Mbappé, acting as a creative conduit and a goal‑scoring threat.
The results suggest that this partnership is already bearing fruit. The English midfielder’s ability to arrive late in the box, combine with the French striker, and exploit spaces left by the opposition’s high line has added a new dimension to Madrid’s attack. The rapport between Mourinho and Bellingham may not be entirely surprising. In a light‑hearted interview in 2024, Bellingham revealed that Mourinho was his mother’s crush, a comment that hinted at a personal admiration that has now turned into a professional synergy.
More importantly, both men share an uncompromising drive and a demand for excellence from everyone around them. This shared intensity has translated into a disciplined training environment and a clear tactical identity for the team. The depth of the Madrid squad was on full display when Arda Güler entered the match to score the fourth goal. Substitutes Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva also featured, while the bench boasted the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espinosa – last week’s hero against Real Sociedad.
Such a roster allows Mourinho to rotate without a noticeable dip in quality, a luxury that will become increasingly valuable as the season progresses and the fixture list intensifies. Looking ahead, the real test will come when Madrid faces higher‑calibre opposition.
As noted by Marca, Madrid have historically stumbled in matches that demand more than sheer dominance. So far, Mourinho’s side has avoided those pitfalls, and there are no signs of the rumored friction with Vinícius Júnior.
Instead, the key players appear motivated and aligned with the manager’s vision. Beyond Madrid, the weekend produced several noteworthy results across Europe.
Atletico Madrid snapped Sevilla’s surprising winning streak, while Troy Parrott impressed for Betis before they were overwhelmed by Levante. Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, now 37, continued his resurgence by scoring for Deportivo A Coruña in his third consecutive game.
Racing Santander finally broke their winless run in LaLiga, triumphing 3-2 over Elche in their third attempt. The club, which has bounced between the third tier and the top flight in recent years, employed a bold, high‑pressing style that few Spanish teams have attempted this season.
Their victory underscores the unpredictable nature of the league and the potential for smaller clubs to challenge the traditional hierarchy. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich opened the campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Stuttgart, illustrating the depth that has become a hallmark of the club. Remarkably, Harry Kane did not find the net; instead, new signing Ismael Saïbari, who entered as a substitute for fellow newcomer Nathaniel Brown, provided assists for the final two goals. Sporting director Christoph Freund praised Saïbari’s versatility, noting that he can complement Kane on the wing as well as serve as a valuable backup.
Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 victory over Hamburg thanks to a goal from Giannis Konstantelias in his first start. Unfortunately, the Greek winger suffered a cruciate ligament injury, forcing him off the pitch and casting a shadow over Niko Kovač’s promising start with the club. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen endured a shocking 3-2 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Elversberg, a team that rose from regional football in 2022 to challenge the Bundesliga champions in their debut match.
Further Bundesliga highlights included Yuito Suzuki’s hat‑trick for Freiburg against Werder Bremen and Augsburg’s comfortable 3-0 win over Schalke. Augsburg’s sporting director Benjamin Weber discussed the club’s strategy to maintain over‑achievement despite operating with a modest budget. In Serie A, Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund scored a fine goal, but it was not enough as Como secured a 2-1 victory, with Martin Baturina’s pressing play setting up the winner for Anastasios Douvikas. Inter Milan, already top of the table, displayed relentless attacking intent with 31 shots in a narrow 1-0 win over Cagliari, while AC Milan’s 2-0 triumph over Venezia highlighted Gonçalo Ramos’s involvement in the attack, justifying his £63 million fee.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain continued their uneven start, salvaging a 2-2 draw at Lille thanks to late goals from Vitinha and Marquinhos. Lille’s Dilane Bakwa also made an impact on debut, assisted by Olivier Giroud. Monaco remains the only team with a perfect record after a 2-0 win over Marseille, with Paris FC climbing to second place after a 3-0 victory over Nice. Portugal’s Primeira Liga sees Benfica, after a home defeat to Académico de Viseu, looking to close the gap on Porto, who have won their first four matches without conceding.
In the Netherlands, AZ Alkmaar maintains a flawless start as they chase a first Eredivisie title since 2009, while PSV demonstrated their firepower with a 6-1 demolition of Utrecht. Ajax, under new manager Michel, have secured seven wins and two draws, ensuring a place in the Europa Conference League. Overall, the first weekend of European football has delivered a mixture of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and emerging narratives. Mourinho’s ability to harness Bellingham’s talent at Real Madrid stands out as a key storyline, and the depth across the major leagues suggests that the season will be fiercely contested from start to finish.