Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho criticised the officiating following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, presenting printed images of two first-half challenges he believed should have resulted in red cards for the hosts.
The Portuguese coach arrived at his post-match press conference with an A4 sheet containing screenshots of the incidents, arguing that both decisions had significantly influenced the outcome of the derby.
The result marked Real Madrid’s second league defeat of the season, following their 1-0 loss to Real Betis earlier in September.
The first disputed incident occurred in the 37th minute when Jude Bellingham and Atletico defender Cristian Romero challenged for a loose ball. Bellingham initially received a yellow card, but a VAR review overturned his booking and resulted in Romero being cautioned instead.
Mourinho maintained that Romero deserved a straight red card after replays showed his studs making contact with Bellingham’s knee. He also questioned why Atletico’s Lee Kang-in was not dismissed for a separate challenge on Federico Valverde.
The Real Madrid manager argued that playing against nine men for much of the match would have transformed the contest. He also raised concerns about the appointment of the match officials, although he expressed hope that the controversial decisions were the result of human error rather than deliberate actions.
Despite his frustration, Mourinho praised his players’ determination and collective performance. He was particularly satisfied with their first-half display but acknowledged that Atletico’s possession made it increasingly difficult for Madrid to regain control after the break.
Mourinho also addressed the dismissal of defender Dean Huijsen, which led to Atletico receiving a penalty, admitting that he had not yet reviewed the VAR footage of the incident.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone offered a contrasting assessment of the derby, maintaining that his team had controlled the contest through disciplined defending, effective teamwork and careful management of Real Madrid’s attacking transitions.
The Argentine also emphasised the importance of respecting referees and fellow coaches when discussing controversial decisions, while rejecting suggestions that the officiating debate should overshadow Atletico’s victory.
The result leaves Real Madrid fourth in La Liga, while Atletico sit second, five points behind leaders Barcelona.
Mourinho remained focused on the longer-term campaign, stressing that Madrid still have plenty of time to recover from their early-season setbacks.
La Liga is scheduled to resume on Friday, 9 October, following the international break.