Madrid keep baffling opponents in Europe’s elite tournament.
Mourinho’s side raced to a 2-0 lead within 23 minutes of their home opener against Inter on Tuesday, thanks to strikes from Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde exploiting Italian errors.
Mbappé’s 14th‑minute finish marked his 71st Champions League goal, tying him with Madrid great Raúl for fifth‑all‑time. Valverde added a goal after Inter keeper Josep Martínez oddly tried to play out under pressure.
Inter mustered 21 shots and forced seven saves from Thibaut Courtois, yet Madrid fans booed the two‑goal cushion, unhappy with the display. Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Vinícius Júnior drew whistles, the Brazilian’s 88th‑minute substitution audible.
A 77th‑minute strike by Carlos Augusto, fed by Lautaro Martínez’s cut‑back, sparked a tense finish. Madrid held on, but do Mourinho’s men truly have what it takes for a deep Champions League run? For my money, Mourinho’s tactics still need sharpening.
Dermot Corrigan and Conor O’Neill break down the action.
Are Madrid working harder under Mourinho?
The squad may not suit a high‑press system, but they were ruthless in the final third, a efficiency that produced both goals.
Mbappé’s pressure forced centre‑back Yann Bisseck into a mistake after Curtis Jones under‑hit a pass. Brahim Díaz, alert to the miscontrol, slipped a ball through for the double World Cup Golden Boot winner to slot home.
Often singled out for his defensive work‑rate, Mbappé defended his record in the pre‑match press conference, pointing out his duties when compared with Barcelona’s Raphinha and PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé.
“Just me and Vinícius? I don’t know,” he said. “We must improve, that’s natural for any player.
“I could claim everyone must match my goals, but that makes no sense. We need to be better on the ball—that’s the life of a top club.
Mbappé is right: pressing is collective, and Valverde never shies away, earning what may be the easiest strike of his career.
Even after Martínez—once of La Masia—attempted an odd drag‑back with his near foot, Valverde’s sprint let him tap the ball into an empty net.
Conor O’Neill
How did Alexander‑Arnold do in midfield?
The endless debate over Alexander‑Arnold in midfield gains another Mourinho‑flavoured chapter, yet his first start under the Portuguese left the verdict still open. The veteran right‑back never fully convinced on Tuesday.
Deployed at the base of a three‑man midfield alongside Valverde and Jude Bellingham, Alexander‑Arnold was asked to retain possession, shield defence and attempt his trademark defence‑splitting passes. It never quite clicked.
No Madrid player recorded more crosses or switches per 90 than Alexander‑Arnold in his 2025‑26 debut, but the metronomic short‑passing required in midfield isn’t his strength. He completed a respectable 86 % of his passes, and luck saved him when Lautaro avoided a costly mis‑placed ball near the centre circle.
Credit to him, Alexander‑Arnold was dropped into a side that struggled to control the match, and his midfield partners fared no better, with Madrid holding just 30 % possession in the first half.
Isolated, the former Liverpool man seemed adrift, often unsure where to position himself without the ball. The crowd whistled when he left on 79 minutes, having logged zero tackles or interceptions.
It may feel like another false start for his midfield ambitions under Mourinho, but Madrid are still finding their rhythm, and his exquisite passing could still earn the 27‑year‑old a central role.
Conor O’Neill
Is Mbappé timing his Ballon d’Or run to perfection?
When Mbappé was named among the 30 candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, he appeared to be in peak form.
The French striker netted four times in his first three La Liga outings, yet went blank—including a missed stoppage‑time penalty—in the weekend’s 1‑0 loss at Real Betis.
During Monday’s pre‑match media day, Mbappé refused to downplay his claim to a first Ballon d’Or, reminding everyone of his historic World Cup goal‑scoring record. He also posted 42 goals in 44 games for Madrid last season, finishing as the Champions League top scorer with 15.
He needed just 14 minutes to open his European tally, capitalising on Bisseck’s error. He nearly added another before halftime, sprinting 50 yards from midfield, beating two defenders before Martínez denied him.
Many supporters—beyond Madrid fans—were shocked not to see teammate Thibaut Courtois on the Ballon d’Or list, marking the first goalkeeper omission since 1995.
Courtois made spectacular saves, denying Marcus Thuram and later Lautaro, Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni, totaling seven stops on his 100th Champions League appearance. Though not captain, he rallied teammates after Inter cut the lead late on.
Once again, a Madrid victory in Europe featured the same two main protagonists.
Mbappé’s strikes draw acclaim and could finally earn him the sport’s top individual honour. Courtois’ saves are equally valued in Madrid, but clearly not by the Ballon d’Or panel.
Dermot Corrigan
A familiar start for Madrid. Could this early edge translate into a deeper run?
Mourinho likely appreciated his side’s work‑rate in crafting the first‑half goals that decided the tie, yet the manager, back at the Bernabéu after a 13‑year gap, probably wasn’t thrilled by their disorganisation on and off the ball.
Madrid’s defending was shaky, passing subpar, chances wasted and Inter enjoyed long periods of possession and territorial dominance.
Still, Mourinho’s men secured the win, hanging on in the closing minutes, and three points remain the priority, as the coach stressed beforehand.
Madrid have often faltered in autumn, regardless of the coach. Group‑stage wobble under Ancelotti and Zidane frequently preceded eventual European triumphs.
Key midfielders were missing—Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga suspended, and Aurélien Tchouaméni only fit enough for a late cameo. Mourinho now has plenty to shape, and his second spell is only beginning.
So the frustrated whistles from the crowd made sense, yet he and his squad still have time to gel.
Will they manage to click before the knockout phase?
Dermot Corrigan