A fast start that changes the mood
Jose Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu has given Real Madrid an immediate sense of direction. In just three league matches of the 2026/27 season, the club has collected nine points, stayed perfect, and moved to the top of the table with a level of control that has not always been present in recent years.
The opening run is especially notable because it has arrived with both results and authority. Madrid began with a narrow away win at Espanyol, followed it with a convincing home victory over Real Sociedad, and then delivered their most complete performance yet by beating Malaga 4-0 at the Bernabeu.
- The season began with a 2-1 win on the road.
- The second match ended in a 4-1 success at home.
- The latest outing brought a clean sheet and four unanswered goals.
That sequence does more than fill the standings column. It suggests a team that already understands its new manager’s expectations and is adapting quickly to them.
Why this opening matters so much
The most striking part of the story is that Mourinho did not manage a three-win league start during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid. Across that earlier era, the club had strong moments, but never this exact beginning.
- In 2010/11, Madrid started with two wins and one draw.
- In 2011/12, they opened with two wins and one loss.
- In 2012/13, the first three matches produced only one victory.
- In 2026/27, they have taken the full nine points available.
That comparison gives this return a sharper edge. It is still early, and no one at the club will mistake three matches for a finished project, but flawless starts are rare in a league season. For a team that has spent years being judged by trophies rather than promise, the early signs are still meaningful.
The summer spending is already visible
Real Madrid’s response to Mourinho’s arrival was to reshape the squad around him. The club invested heavily in the summer, bringing in players who appear chosen for clear tactical jobs rather than broad name value.
- Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and has already settled into the left side.
- Denzel Dumfries came from Inter Milan to provide pace and aggression from right back.
- Ibrahima Konate joined on a free transfer from Liverpool to strengthen the heart of defence.
- Bernardo Silva arrived from Manchester City on a free, adding control and experience in midfield.
The rebuild has not been subtle. It has been targeted, expensive, and clearly linked to the way Mourinho wants the team to function. The early results suggest the pieces are fitting together faster than many expected.
Bellingham has a new stage
One of the clearest tactical changes is the role of Jude Bellingham. Rather than forcing him to share the same attacking lanes as Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, Mourinho has moved him into a central pocket behind both forwards. That gives Madrid a more balanced shape and places one of their most intelligent attackers exactly where he can influence play without crowding the wide threats.
The Malaga match offered a neat example of how that idea can work. Bellingham scored first, then forced an own goal, Mbappe added another, and Arda Guler finished the scoring after being set up by Vinicius Junior. The structure allowed different threats to appear in different zones, which made Madrid harder to contain.
The clearest sign of progress is not just the wins themselves, but the way the attack now feels more coordinated and less compressed.
What Mourinho is likely to insist on next
Even with the perfect start, Mourinho has kept his tone measured. After a preseason win over Deportivo, he stressed that the serious work was still ahead, pointing out the players available at Valdebebas and making it clear that the real challenge would come later.
That approach fits his reputation. He tends to treat early success as useful but temporary, especially at a club where expectations rise immediately. Nine points out of nine gives Real Madrid momentum, yet the deeper test will come when the schedule tightens and the pressure increases.
For now, though, the message is simple. Mourinho has not returned to relive old glories. He has returned with a plan, a reshaped squad, and a team that already looks more secure, more direct, and more aligned with his idea of what Real Madrid should be.
