Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho launched a scathing critique of match officials following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, using printed photographs during his post-match press conference to argue that two early-season tackles warranted red cards.
The Real Madrid boss pointed to an incident where Atletico defender Cristian Romero appeared to stamp on Jude Bellingham, alongside a separate challenge by Lee Kang-in against Federico Valverde. Despite the severity of the tackles, no players were sent off at those stages of the match. Real Madrid later confirmed that Valverde suffered severe trauma to his left ankle and will require further medical examination.
Addressing the media, Mourinho held up the images and remarked that he could skip the press conference entirely because the match’s true story was captured on those sheets of paper. He lamented that had justice been served, the game would have shifted in Real Madrid’s favor significantly earlier, suggesting that playing 11 against nine for 50 minutes would have drastically altered the outcome.
The match turned decisively in the second half when Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen was dismissed for a foul on Giuliano Simeone. That play resulted in a penalty kick converted by Alejandro Grimaldo, followed by a goal from Jonathan David that extended Atletico’s lead. Antonio Ruediger later scored a header for Real, but the visitors could not complete a comeback.
Mourinho took particular issue with referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, claiming the 41-year-old official lacked the international experience necessary to handle the intensity of a high-pressure derby. While stating he did not want to claim the match was fixed, Mourinho admitted he suspected the officials simply failed under pressure.
When asked about the six-point gap behind league leaders Barcelona, the Portuguese manager insisted that if his team were allowed to compete on a level playing field without officiating interference, they would remain in the title race.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone offered a stern response to these allegations, suggesting that managers must remain cautious with their words. He emphasized that everyone, regardless of their status, must stay within the bounds of respect.
Focusing on his team’s performance, Simeone noted that Atletico defended effectively against a strong opponent. He argued that his side maintained control both when the match was 11-a-side and after the numerical advantage shifted in their favor. The victory moved Atletico into second place in the La Liga standings with 16 points, trailing Barcelona by five points and sitting one point ahead of both Real Madrid and Real Betis. The report also notes that real were furious that Atletico defender Cristian Romero was not sent off for a stamp on Jude Bellingham and also complained about a challenge by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde, before the visitors were themselves reduced to 10 men five minutes after half-time in the heated capital derby on Sunday. The report also notes that it added, the midfielder will undergo further tests. The report also notes that the difficulties we’ve faced since the sending-off: 11 against 10. The report also notes that well, we can imagine what 50 minutes of 11 against nine would have been like if justice had been done.”.
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