José Mourinho is wasting no time in reshaping Real Madrid. Three league matches into the 2026/27 season, the club has taken nine points from nine and already looks sharper, more balanced, and more ruthless.
A Fast Start With Clear Signals
Real Madrid began with a narrow 2-1 away win at Espanyol, then followed it with a lively 4-1 home victory over Real Sociedad. On August 30, they completed the early run with a 4-0 result against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabéu, and they did it without conceding a goal.
The Malaga match offered the clearest snapshot of where this team is heading.
- Jude Bellingham scored first in the 19th minute.
- Bellingham then forced an own goal seven minutes later.
- Kylian Mbappé added the third.
- Arda Güler, assisted by Vinícius Júnior, finished the scoring.
That is the kind of night Madrid supporters wanted to see: control, speed, and no late anxiety.
Why This Opening Feels Different
The numbers matter because Mourinho did not manage this kind of launch during his first spell at the club. In his earlier three seasons, Madrid never opened with three straight league wins.
- 2010/11: 7 points from 9
- 2011/12: 6 points from 9
- 2012/13: 4 points from 9
- 2026/27: 9 points from 9
That makes this his best Madrid league start across both eras. It is still early, of course, but a perfect opening usually says something about the level of preparation behind it.
The Summer Overhaul Behind the Momentum
Madrid did not simply rely on inspiration. The club invested heavily, spending close to £200 million to rebuild around Mourinho’s demands, and the new arrivals already look tailored to specific roles.
- Marc Cucurella arrived from Chelsea for about £52 million and brought energy on the left side.
- Denzel Dumfries joined from Inter Milan to give the right flank more attacking thrust.
- Ibrahima Konaté came in on a free transfer from Liverpool to strengthen the centre of defence.
- Bernardo Silva signed on a free transfer from Manchester City and added control, timing, and experience in midfield.
Each move points to the same idea: build a squad that is harder to expose and quicker to punish opponents when chances appear.
Bellingham’s New Role Brings Balance
One of the clearest tactical changes is Bellingham’s position. Rather than drifting into the same spaces as Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, he is operating in the gap behind them.
That shift gives Madrid a cleaner attacking structure:
- Vinícius Júnior stretches defences with pace.
- Mbappé attacks the space behind the back line.
- Bellingham links the play from a central pocket.
- The defence sits on a stronger foundation behind the ball.
The effect is simple but powerful. Madrid look less crowded in attack and more dangerous when they break forward.
Mourinho Is Keeping the Message Simple
Even with the strong start, Mourinho is not acting as though the job is done. After a pre-season win over Deportivo, he pointed the focus forward and reminded everyone that the real work was still ahead: “You know the five who are at Valdebebas. And next week, the real work begins.”
That stance fits his reputation. Mourinho usually prefers pressure, detail, and constant improvement over early celebration. For Real Madrid, that may be exactly the right approach after two seasons without a major trophy.
The opening three wins do not guarantee anything, but they do suggest something important: this is not a nostalgia project. Mourinho is trying to build a sharper version of Madrid, and the first signs are already visible.
