Madrid’s Early-Season Reset Is Working
Real Madrid have made a sharp start to the 2026/27 La Liga season, and Jose Mourinho’s return is already looking more convincing by the week. Three matches in, three wins have delivered maximum points and an immediate sense that the club has found its footing again.
A Clean Start Under Mourinho
The opening stretch has been efficient rather than flashy, which is exactly why it matters. Madrid beat Espanyol 2-1 away, followed that with a 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad, and then swept past Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That latest result stood out for more than the scoreline. Madrid kept a clean sheet, controlled the tempo, and looked more settled than they did in much of the previous campaign.
- Jude Bellingham scored first in the 19th minute.
- Bellingham then forced an own goal seven minutes later.
- Kylian Mbappe added the third to stretch the lead further.
- Arda Guler, assisted by Vinicius Junior, finished the job.
For a side trying to re-establish control quickly, that is the sort of performance that sends a clear message.
Why This Start Matters So Much
The impressive part is not only the points total. Mourinho did not manage a three-win league opening during his first spell in charge, even across three full seasons at the club. This time, the numbers are cleaner and the mood is brighter.
- 2010/11: 2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points
- 2011/12: 2 wins, 1 loss, 6 points
- 2012/13: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points
- 2026/27: 3 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses, 9 points
That does not guarantee anything over a long season, but it does show a better first step than the club managed in Mourinho’s earlier era. At a team where patience is never unlimited, that matters.
The Summer Spending Changed The Shape
Madrid did not rely on hope alone. The club invested heavily to reshape the squad around Mourinho, spending close to £200 million on targeted additions designed to fix obvious gaps.
- Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and has already settled into the left side.
- Denzel Dumfries came in from Inter Milan to provide width and pace from right back.
- Ibrahima Konate signed as a free agent from Liverpool to strengthen the centre of defence.
- Bernardo Silva joined on a free transfer from Manchester City and adds experience, control, and creativity.
Each signing fits a specific function. That makes the early results look less like a hot streak and more like the product of planning.
Bellingham Has More Room To Influence Games
The clearest tactical shift has been the way Bellingham is being used. Rather than asking him to fight for the same spaces as Vinicius Junior and Mbappe, Mourinho has placed him in a more central pocket behind them.
That arrangement gives Madrid a simple attacking logic. Bellingham links play between the lines, the forwards attack space, and the new-look defence is trusted to handle the rest. It is a cleaner balance than the one that often appeared in previous seasons.
The Real Test Still Lies Ahead
Mourinho has not sounded remotely satisfied. After a preseason win over Deportivo, he made it clear that the real work was still coming, not finished.
“You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins.”
That mindset fits the situation. Nine points from nine is a strong opening, but it is still only an opening. Madrid have now gone two seasons without a major trophy, so the pressure will stay high until the performances become something more durable than a promising start.
For now, the club has what it wanted most: momentum, clarity, and a manager who believes the rebuild has only just begun.
