Real Madrid have scored ten goals in three games. Their best start in a decade

José Mourinho was supposed to return to Madrid carrying a padlock, a second layer of security and instructions for protecting a 1-0 lead. After three league matches, his Real Madrid side have maximum points, ten goals and their best attacking start to a season in a decade. The Portuguese coach appears to have misplaced his cautious reputation somewhere along the way. Or perhaps he has simply stopped listening to it.

FROM A STRUGGLE TO FOUR-GOAL WINS

Real began the season with a 2-1 away victory over Espanyol. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring early, but the hosts responded and Mourinho’s team struggled to turn their advantage into goals. Debutant Carlos Espí finally secured all three points with a last-minute winner.

It was not an especially spectacular beginning. It was, however, extremely Mourinho: a difficult match, tension until the end and victory snatched just as the opposition began accepting the draw.

Four days later, Real returned to the Santiago Bernabéu and recovered from a poor first half to beat Real Sociedad 4-1. Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick, Vinícius Júnior added the other goal and Mourinho watched his side play with far greater speed and aggression after the break.

Against Málaga, there was no need to wait for a half-time lecture. Real were 3-0 ahead after 30 minutes. Bellingham opened the scoring, Alfonso Herrero put through his own net and Mbappé converted Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. Arda Güler completed the 4-0 victory in added time.

Two goals, followed by four and then another four. Real did not gradually increase the tempo. After the opening warning, they simply pushed the accelerator down.

MBAPPÉ LEADS, BUT HE IS NOT SCORING ALONE

Mbappé has contributed the largest share of Real’s attacking output. The Frenchman has scored four goals: three against Real Sociedad and one against Málaga. He is not, however, the only player responsible for the numbers.

Bellingham found the net against Espanyol and Málaga. Vinícius scored against Real Sociedad, Espí rescued the opening victory in Barcelona and Güler completed the scoring in the third round. Málaga goalkeeper Herrero’s own goal accounts for the final strike.

Real’s ten goals have therefore been shared between five players and one generous contribution from an opponent. Mbappé is the main weapon, but this does not look like a team waiting exclusively for the Frenchman to produce something.

Bellingham is appearing closer to the penalty area. Vinícius has been given more freedom. The full-backs are involved in the build-up, while Mourinho is using a deep squad without a noticeable drop in quality. He made five changes to his starting line-up against Málaga, yet Real had effectively settled the match inside half an hour.

ZIDANE’S REAL WERE THE LAST TO DO IT

The last time Real Madrid reached ten goals after three La Liga matches was in the 2016-17 season. Zinédine Zidane’s team began with a 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad, defeated Celta Vigo 2-1 and then scored five against Osasuna.

That season ended with Real winning La Liga and the Champions League. It is an appealing comparison, but for now it remains no more than an interesting statistic. Three matches in August do not automatically transfer the trophies from 2017 into the current cabinet.

They do show, however, that Mourinho has built a team capable of creating chances regularly and punishing opponents quickly. Real are not winning solely through control, organisation or isolated moments of individual quality. They can increase the tempo, trap opponents near their own penalty area and settle matches with a short burst of attacks.

THE REAL TESTS ARE STILL TO COME

Espanyol resisted for a long time, Real Sociedad collapsed after the interval and promoted Málaga lost all hope within half an hour. The level of difficulty will now begin to rise. Real face an away match against Real Betis before opening their Champions League campaign against Inter.

Those games will provide a clearer indication of whether the ten-goal return represents the beginning of a lasting trend or simply the efficient use of a favourable early schedule. Mourinho does not need to explain anything in advance. His team have done exactly what title contenders are supposed to do at the start of a season: collected nine points and left their opponents with few excuses.

Real have scored ten goals, conceded two and reached double figures after three rounds for the first time in a decade. Mourinho returned to Madrid with a reputation for shutting games down. So far, he has usually been closing them with a fourth goal.