Unsettling as the last two games have been, Madrid have taken all six points and now a total of ten form the the first four matches. Jose Mourinho was quick to express his distaste with his team’s form, though, lamenting their ability to produce results when not at their best.

Highlighting the anti-football played by Espanyol on Tuesday night, Mourinho noted they were still able overcome their stubborn Catalan visitors. Saturday night in San Sebastian was a different story. It may have been a combination of a Champions League hangover or underestimating their newly promoted opponents, but Madrid were lucky to escape with a victory. Fans and pundits alike would agree that Real Sociedad deserved at least a share of the points.

Saturday night saw Real Sociedad, back in the top flight for the first time in three years, aggressively attacking Madrid and poised to upset the capital side giants. The Basque club wasted two phenomenal opportunities in the first period, sending Los Blancos into the locker-room undeservedly on terms. Six minutes into the second half, a brilliant strike from Angel di Maria give the visitors the advantage. The Argentine showing some inventive moves on the left to set up a truly talented chip into the back of the net.

Raul Tamudo would put Real Sociedad on terms eleven minutes later, netting the first goal against Real Madrid this season. In the end it would take some luck, a deflection loftily guiding Cristiano Ronaldo’s set piece into the back of the net, for Madrid to snatch all three points. Real Sociedad came out looking for an early advantage, and the pressure was too much for the Madrid defence. Although they did not concede, Real Sociedad’s attack highlighted the evident weaknesses that reside in Madrid’s backline. Xavi Preto raised even more questions about Marcelo’s quality as a top club left back, exposing the Brazilian on numerous occasions.

Angel di Maria celebrates his superbly taken goal against Real Sociedad ©GettyImages

Espanyol brought a different mentality to the Bernabeu for their midweek fixture. Attempting to break Madrid’s rhythm, the style played Tuesday night was organized and what some, including the Madrid boss, would call ‘anti-football.’ By fixture’s end, three players had been sent off, and Madrid had registered an unconvincing 3-0 victory.

Ronaldo slotted home a penalty in the first half hour to give the hosts the advantage; however, the Catalonian club threatened Iker Casillas’ net on either side of the Portuguese international’s first tally of the season. Pepe was shown a second yellow at the hour mark, forcing Mourinho to bring Sami Khedira and Alvero Albeloa on in place of Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria, respectively, to reinforce the defence. However, Ernesto Galan would see straight red for a brash tackle two minutes later, evening Espanyol’s brief numerical advantage.

The second goal was a product of magnificent vision. Cristiano Ronaldo's through ball set free Gonzalo Higuain whose calm finish would double the host’s advantage. Karim Benzema would replace the Argentine in the eightieth minute, immediately contributing as the protagonist of Madrid’s third, firing home with three minutes left from time.

Watching the match Tuesday night, it is hard not to notice the difference in attitude along the Madrid sideline; passion, it seems, has finally been restored to the Bernabeu. There no longer is a pensive, calm presence in the coach's box but that of an animated, fiery Mourinho. Obvious to all watching Tuesday night, with his team only up a goal, ‘The Special One’ was furious with his side's play. One can only begin to speculate the tirade unleashed on his players during the intermission. The quality did not significantly improve, but two more goals would seal the desired result for the hosts.

Aiming to maintain their form at the weekend, Madrid will look to continue improving in Valencia against newly promoted Levante on Saturday night. Three matches in a weeks time brings into question again the logic behind the scheduling of the Spanish league. With a massive Champions League fixture on the horizon, Madrid's depth will certainly be tested when they travel to Auxerre in a weeks time.