José Mourinho warns Real Madrid’s rivals after excellent start

Real Madrid scoring at the same rate as José Mourinho’s record-breaking team

Real Madrid have made an impressive start to the 2026-27 season and are closing in on the extraordinary figures recorded 15 years ago, when José Mourinho guided the club to the Spanish title with 100 points and 121 goals. Los Blancos have scored 16 times in their opening 6 matches, although the statistics suggest their tally could have been considerably higher.

However, the team have not maintained the same intensity throughout every match. Real Madrid can completely dominate their opponents for 45 minutes before going through spells in which they lose control and allow their rivals to apply pressure. Both versions of Real Madrid were evident in the 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

3 emphatic victories at the Santiago Bernabéu

Real Madrid produced an attacking masterclass in the first half against Rayo Vallecano. After the break, the visitors enjoyed a stronger spell lasting approximately 25 minutes, during which they played with courage and managed to reduce the deficit.

Although Real Madrid’s performance fluctuated, the final result once again underlined the team’s attacking strength. Los Blancos scored 4 goals for the 3rd successive La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabéu.

José Mourinho’s side defeated Real Sociedad 4-1, swept Málaga aside 4-0 and then recorded another 4-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano. On each occasion, the supporters inside the Santiago Bernabéu watched their team score exactly 4 goals.

The latest victory took Real Madrid’s tally to 16 goals in their opening 6 matches of the season. They have reached this mark on only 3 other occasions in the previous 10 campaigns. The last time they recorded a better tally was in 2016-17, when the team had scored 17 goals after the same number of matches.

Real Madrid closing in on their record-breaking season

The current scoring rate is reminiscent of Real Madrid’s start to the 2011-12 campaign under José Mourinho. The team scored 15 goals in their opening 6 matches that season, 1 fewer than the current side.

That campaign went down in Spanish football history as the “League of Records”. José Mourinho’s team won the title with 100 points and scored 121 goals, setting benchmarks that had previously appeared impossible to reach.

The current side are scoring at a similar rate, but a promising start does not guarantee trophies. José Mourinho understands better than most the difference between strong performances in the opening weeks and the results that ultimately determine the outcome of a season.

Even so, the present Real Madrid team have started better than the side that went on to win the Spanish title in 2012.

Goals scored after the opening 6 matches

Season Goals

2016-17 17

2017-18 13

2018-19 16

2019-20 10

2020-21 8

2021-22 16

2022-23 16

2023-24 11

2024-25 11

2025-26 12

2026-27 16

Current team started better than the 2011-12 side

The 2011-12 season would eventually become a memorable one, although Real Madrid’s early results did not necessarily indicate the historic achievements that would follow.

Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Barcelona in the 1st leg of the Spanish Super Cup before losing the return match 3-2 at the Camp Nou.

A 1-0 defeat against Levante followed shortly afterwards. However, José Mourinho’s team eventually found their rhythm, overcame their rivals and ended the league campaign with historic figures.

The current side have registered 5 victories in their opening 6 matches. Their only defeat came in Seville, where Real Madrid lost 1-0.

Goalkeeper Álvaro Valles made several spectacular saves and took advantage of the Madrid forwards’ lack of accuracy. Kylian Mbappé even missed a penalty in the closing seconds, wasting the opportunity to salvage a draw for his team.

Real Madrid’s chances are not reflected in their goal tally

The defeat in Seville highlighted Real Madrid’s main problem. Los Blancos regularly reach dangerous areas and create numerous scoring opportunities, but they have been unable to convert enough of them.

Real Madrid recorded an expected goals figure of 3.16 in the 1-0 defeat, highlighting how many major opportunities went to waste.

According to data supplied by BeSoccer Pro to the Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid have the worst difference between goals scored and expected goals in La Liga. The gap is considerable compared with the other teams in the competition.

Los Blancos have scored 14 league goals, but the quality of the opportunities they have created suggests they should have registered another 5.92. With greater accuracy in front of goal, José Mourinho’s side would already be approaching the 20-goal mark.

Osasuna are next in this ranking, with a deficit of 4.69 goals. Valencia have recorded a deficit of 3.59 goals, while Málaga’s deficit stands at 3.4.

Barcelona converting their chances more efficiently

The difference in efficiency becomes even clearer when Real Madrid are compared with Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s side have scored 21 goals from 96 attempts, 42 of which were on target.

Real Madrid have taken 104 shots and hit the target with 46 of them, but they have scored 7 fewer goals than their rivals.

Barcelona have a conversion rate of 21.9%, compared with only 13.5% for Real Madrid. The figures confirm that Los Blancos produce a very high volume of attacking opportunities but still have considerable room for improvement in front of goal.

Rather than viewing this statistic as a cause for concern, José Mourinho regards it as evidence that his side have the potential to become even more dangerous.

José Mourinho sends warning to Real Madrid’s rivals

The Portuguese manager openly discussed his team’s numerous missed opportunities following the 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

“We are scoring plenty of goals, but we are also missing a lot of chances,” José Mourinho said.

The manager is convinced that, sooner or later, one of Real Madrid’s opponents will suffer the consequences of all the opportunities his players have been wasting.

“I told my players that one day, a team will pay for all these missed chances. One day, we will score 6 or 7 goals,” José Mourinho added.

The comment was delivered with a half-smile, but the manager’s warning should not be dismissed as merely a joke. Real Madrid create enough opportunities to record an emphatic victory whenever their forwards enjoy an inspired day in front of goal.

High tempo affecting Real Madrid’s accuracy

José Mourinho also explained why his players have not always shown the necessary composure when finishing their chances. Real Madrid try to regain possession quickly and immediately launch attacks, resulting in numerous moves being played at extremely high speed.

“We are a team that deals with a lot of situations. We are a frantic team: we regain possession and accelerate. Obviously, the faster you play, the more difficult it becomes to be accurate,” the Portuguese manager explained.

His message to the players concerns composure, patience and choosing the right moment to act in front of goal. José Mourinho does not want the missed chances to become a psychological burden.

Mourinho emphasised these elements following the matches against Real Betis and Inter Milan, 2 games in which Real Madrid’s lack of efficiency generated considerable debate.

José Mourinho responds to his critics

The Setúbal-born manager believes the problem is only temporary and publicly defended his players after the match against Inter Milan.

“Inter could have scored 4 goals against us, but we could have scored 8. Some people understand football as well as I do, but they do not say that. Why? Are they not happy that we won?” José Mourinho said.

The response was typical of the Portuguese manager, who is always ready to protect his team and respond to criticism with a mixture of irony, confidence and provocation.

Kylian Mbappé leading Real Madrid’s attack

Real Madrid remain a work in progress and are not yet performing at their highest level throughout every match. Nevertheless, their attacking threat is always present.

Kylian Mbappé is the team’s leading scorer, having registered 7 goals in his opening 6 appearances. The French striker also missed the penalty in Seville that could have changed the outcome of the match.

Vinícius Júnior, who is accustomed to scoring more than 20 goals in a season, has found the net only once so far. Jude Bellingham is the only Real Madrid player other than Kylian Mbappé to have scored more than 1 goal. The England international has scored 3.

Yan Diomande is yet to open his account, providing another indication that Real Madrid have not fully exploited their attacking potential.

Real Madrid are already scoring at the same rate as the side that won the “League of Records”. If their efficiency eventually matches the number and quality of the chances they create, José Mourinho’s warning could soon become a reality.

Real Madrid’s results this season

Los Blancos have won 4 of their 5 La Liga matches this season, with their only defeat coming away against Real Betis. In the UEFA Champions League, José Mourinho’s team defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid’s La Liga results: Espanyol Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid, Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad, Real Madrid 4-0 Málaga, Real Betis 1-0 Real Madrid, Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid’s Champions League result: Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan.

Real Madrid sit 3rd in La Liga

Real Madrid occupy 3rd place in the La Liga standings, having collected 12 points from their opening 5 matches. Barcelona are top with a maximum of 15 points, while Real Betis sit 2nd with 12 points.

Deportivo Alavés are 4th with 10 points, followed by Atlético Madrid and Sevilla, who have also collected 10 points each.

1. Barcelona – 15 points | 2. Real Betis – 12 points | 3. Real Madrid – 12 points | 4. Deportivo Alavés – 10 points | 5. Atlético Madrid – 10 points | 6. Sevilla – 10 points.