José Mourinho’s return to the Bernabéu is already producing the sort of early momentum Real Madrid supporters were hoping for. Three league matches into the 2026/27 season, Madrid have collected nine points, scored freely, and looked increasingly secure at the back.
A Perfect Start That Sets the Tone
Real Madrid opened the campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 away victory over Espanyol, then followed it with a more polished 4-1 home win against Real Sociedad. On 30 August, they added a third straight victory by beating Málaga 4-0 at home, a result that kept their defensive record spotless in that match.
The latest win also highlighted how quickly the team is settling into Mourinho’s rhythm. The opening goal came from Jude Bellingham in the 19th minute, before an own goal doubled the lead. Kylian Mbappé added a third, and Arda Güler completed the scoring late on after being set up by Vinícius Júnior.
- Espanyol: 2-1 away win
- Real Sociedad: 4-1 home win
- Málaga: 4-0 home win
Why This Start Matters
The significance of this run goes beyond the points total. Mourinho did not begin any of his previous Real Madrid seasons with three straight league wins, which makes this opening stretch his best league start with the club so far. It is a small sample, but it has already created a sense that the team has found both structure and conviction.
That matters at a club where patience is limited and expectations are always enormous. Early wins can fade quickly if the performances do not hold, yet the combination of control, threat, and clean sheets is exactly what Madrid wanted from a coach known for bringing order to high-pressure environments.
New Faces, Clearer Balance
Summer recruitment has played a major role in the team’s early shape. Madrid invested heavily to reshape the squad around Mourinho’s preferred demands, and the new arrivals are already fitting into specific roles.
- Marc Cucurella has strengthened the left side and offers energy in both directions.
- Denzel Dumfries gives Madrid a more aggressive presence on the right.
- Ibrahima Konaté adds power and composure to the centre of defence.
- Bernardo Silva brings control, experience, and creative quality in midfield.
The point of the rebuild is easy to see: give Mourinho players who can protect the team without limiting its attack. That balance has been missing at times in recent seasons, and it is one reason the early results feel so encouraging.
Bellingham’s Role Is Changing the Attack
One of the clearest tactical shifts is Jude Bellingham’s position. Rather than asking him to battle constantly for the same space as Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, Mourinho has placed him in a more central pocket just behind the forwards. That gives Madrid a cleaner attacking shape and lets Bellingham influence play between the lines.
With Vinícius and Mbappé stretching opponents vertically, Bellingham can arrive from deeper positions and support the final pass or finish attacks himself. It is a simple idea, but it suits the quality in the squad and reduces the clutter that can slow elite attacks down.
Ambition Without Complacency
Even with a flawless start, Mourinho has not allowed the mood to drift into celebration mode. His public comments have stayed measured, with the focus fixed on the work still ahead rather than the points already banked. That approach fits his reputation: a manager who likes early control, but never confuses it with completion.
For Madrid, the first three matches have offered more than a good opening spell. They have suggested a team that looks more purposeful, more organised, and more dangerous than it did at the start of the summer. If the trend continues, this could become the sort of season that gives Mourinho’s second spell at the club a very different feel from the first.