Seven factors that have made Real Madrid a class apart under Mourinho this season

Real Madrid have enjoyed a wonderful start to the season with three back-to-back wins in LaLiga.

It appears Jose Mourinho has added a new lease of life to a team that has struggled to keep pace with Barcelona over the past few seasons.

Several players who have been struggling in the past have risen to the occasion, including the likes of Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde.

A recent report from MARCA has pointed out seven factors working in Jose Mourinho’s favour this season so far.

Courtois lives more peacefully

Unlike last season, when Thibaut Courtois was called into action within seconds of the opener at Oviedo, the Belgian has enjoyed a far calmer start.

He has made five saves across the three games, all routine, with Real Madrid no longer reliant on his heroics to stay on their feet.

The resurgence of Bellingham

Bellingham has been top form this season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Bellingham has been reborn under Mourinho, rediscovering the total-footballer form he showed on his arrival in Spain.

Beyond his two goals, he plays with a far more powerful engine than the rest, and left the Bernabeu on its feet against Malaga.

As former player Julen Guerrero puts it, the Englishman has had more freedom under Mourinho.

A very different attitude

Whether ahead or facing adversity, Real Madrid have shown a completely different mentality this season.

The apathy that too often crept in last term is gone, with Bellingham’s frustration at the team dropping their level against Malaga a clear sign of the standards now demanded.

A plugged-in squad

Every fit player has already featured, and the substitutes have contributed two goals, Espi’s winner at Espanyol and Arda Guler’s strike against Malaga.

Valverde is flying again

Valverde is showing his quality again. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

One of last season’s biggest concerns, Valverde is back to his dominant best. Alongside Bernardo Silva he covers less ground, and with Camavinga he plays more freely, but crucially, the captain looks rejuvenated.

The full-backs have power again

Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold have impressed on the right, the former with power, the latter with quality, ending last season’s problems in that area.

On the left, Marc Cucurella has quickly shown his worth too.

The connection with the stands

Finally, the bond with supporters has been restored.

The Bernabeu made clear it would not tolerate a repeat of the last two seasons, and both Mourinho and his players have responded, with fans convinced the Portuguese is the man to lead them back to glory.