A Fast Start That Changes the Mood
Jose Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu has brought an immediate shift in tone, with Real Madrid opening the 2026/27 La Liga season as if the old standards had never left. Three matches in, the club sits on maximum points, has not dropped a result, and has already looked sharper than it did across much of the recent past.
The most striking part is not only the unbeaten record, but the pace of the turnaround. Mourinho came back in June, thirteen years after his first spell in charge, and the early evidence suggests he may have restored a sense of authority that Madrid had been missing. Nine points from nine is a clean start, and in this case it feels like more than just a good week.
That opening run also carries a small piece of club history: Mourinho did not manage a perfect three-from-three league start during his original tenure in Madrid, even across three full seasons on the sideline. This one, at least so far, is his strongest beginning at the club.
Three Matches, Three Clear Messages
Real Madrid’s first away trip of the season brought a difficult 2-1 win over Espanyol, a result that required patience and control rather than style points. The second league outing was far more convincing, with a 4-1 home victory against Real Sociedad that hinted the team was beginning to settle into Mourinho’s rhythm.
The latest performance, a 4-0 defeat of Malaga at the Bernabeu on August 30, delivered the clearest statement yet. Madrid were organised, aggressive, and efficient, and they kept a clean sheet to underline the point. Jude Bellingham set the tone by scoring in the 19th minute, then forced an own goal seven minutes later. Kylian Mbappe added the third, and Arda Guler completed the scoring after being set up by Vinicius Junior.
It was the kind of match that makes a new project look fully formed before it has really had time to settle. The result alone matters, but the manner of it mattered just as much.
The First Spell Never Began Like This
Mourinho’s earlier Madrid reign produced memorable highs, but it never began with this kind of league consistency. His first season in charge started with seven points from a possible nine, the next opened with six, and the third with only four. By contrast, this campaign has started at full throttle.
- 2010/11: two wins and one draw for seven points.
- 2011/12: two wins and one loss for six points.
- 2012/13: one win, one draw, and one defeat for four points.
- 2026/27: three wins from three for nine points.
The comparison does not guarantee anything about where the season ends, but it does show how quickly the atmosphere can change when results arrive early. Madrid have been through a period of transition since Carlo Ancelotti’s departure, and a strong opening run gives the dressing room and the coach something concrete to build on.
The Summer Spending Has a Clear Shape
One reason the team looks more balanced is that the summer rebuild was targeted rather than random. Real Madrid spent close to £200 million reshaping the squad around Mourinho’s requirements, and the signings suggest a plan built around both control and speed.
Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for roughly £52 million and made his first official start against Malaga, where he offered steady width and reliable work on the left side. Denzel Dumfries joined from Inter Milan to provide a more direct attacking threat from right back, while Ibrahima Konate came in on a free transfer from Liverpool to strengthen the centre of defence. Bernardo Silva also arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City, adding experience, intelligence, and major honours to the midfield.
Each arrival fills a different role, but together they point to the same idea: Madrid wanted more balance behind the attacking talent already in place. The early results suggest the recruitment has already improved the structure of the side.
Bellingham Looks Recharged in a Better Role
The most noticeable tactical change is the way Jude Bellingham is being used. Instead of drifting into crowded attacking areas, he now operates in a central pocket behind Vinicius Junior and Mbappe, where he can connect play and arrive with purpose rather than fight for the same spaces.
That adjustment gives Madrid a cleaner attacking shape. Bellingham can influence the game between the lines, the forwards can attack open ground, and the defenders behind them can focus on stability. It is a simple idea, but simple ideas often work best when they are matched to the right players.
Mourinho Is Enjoying the Start, Not Celebrating It
For all the early optimism, Mourinho has not sounded interested in praise or permanence. After a preseason win over Deportivo, he kept his focus on the work still to come and reminded everyone that the serious part begins later. “You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins,” he said.
That approach fits him. He has always preferred control over comfort, and he knows nine points mean little if the standards slip in the weeks ahead. Real Madrid have gone two seasons without a major trophy, so the opening surge is useful mainly because it restores belief and raises expectations.
The bigger question is whether this early momentum can last. At the moment, Mourinho is not just collecting wins; he is trying to reshape the habits around a club that has been waiting for its edge to return.
