José Mourinho's return to Real Madrid after 4,380 days brought a dramatic finish as his team secured a 90th-minute victory over Espanyol. Instead of joining his celebrating bench, Mourinho chose a calmer approach, observing his players as they rushed to celebrate the goal scored by Carlos Espí, a young striker unexpectedly pivotal in this match.

• Mourinho's Challenge: Integrating stars like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham remains a key focus.
• Espí's Role: The goal came from Espí, highlighting his potential as a vital asset to the team.

The match commenced with intense media attention on Mourinho, who embraced the moment with humility as he acknowledged Espanyol's competitiveness. Despite Real Madrid dominating possession, they struggled to convert chances, revealing lingering flaws within the squad.

Mourinho, reflecting on his past with the club, expressed that nostalgia often glosses over previous difficulties. He emphasized his commitment to instilling a winning culture back at Madrid, asserting that "commitment can’t be missing."

The game showcased promising developments, particularly with Bellingham scoring the first goal early on, demonstrating his importance in the new system. However, a lapse in intensity allowed Espanyol to equalize, exposing vulnerabilities in the Madrid defense.

Despite missed opportunities, including a near miss from Mbappé, Mourinho maintained a positive outlook, stating, "I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn’t deserve to lose." This match marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mourinho and Real Madrid, filled with challenges and potential.