At the Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid took the capital derby 2-1 and left Real Madrid’s José Mourinho arguing not only with the result but with the officials who shaped its most disputed moments.
Atlético had built a two-goal advantage after Real defender Huijsen was sent off in the second half. Madrid reduced the deficit only late on, but the home side held on in the seventh round of the Spanish league season.
Quick facts
- Atlético de Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano.
- Real played the second half with 10 men after Huijsen’s red card.
- Mourinho presented printed images of two Atlético challenges in his post-match press conference.
- Real are fourth in the league table after the derby defeat.
- The disputed incidents involved Romero’s challenge on Jude Bellingham and Lee’s tackle on Federico Valverde.
Mourinho arrived before the media with photographs of the two incidents, arguing that Atlético should have lost players to red cards. His complaint was directed at the refereeing structure of the Royal Spanish Football Federation as well as the decisions made during the match.
One image showed Romero stepping on Bellingham after a duel. The referee was advised to review the action at the pitch-side monitor, yet decided against showing a card. The other concerned Lee’s contact with Valverde’s shin; on that occasion, VAR did not recommend an on-field review.
“We could have called off this press conference because the story of the match is here,” Mourinho said while holding up the sheet. He described both challenges as clear red-card offences.
Questions over the appointments
The Portuguese coach went further, saying the appointment process had felt unusual. He noted that the referee’s identity was known a week before the game, rather than the usual 24 hours before kick-off, and criticised the choice of a 41-year-old official who is not an international referee.
Mourinho also referred to VAR official Trujillo Suárez, claiming he had a long and difficult history involving Real Madrid. He questioned whether there was truly no pressure at Las Rozas, the RFEF headquarters, before ending with sarcastic congratulations for the appointments commission.
The derby became a front-page subject well beyond the Metropolitano. In Catalonia, Sport led with a picture of Mourinho confronting Trujillo Suárez and branded the Real coach “unbalanced”, arguing that he had been unable to revive a side now sitting fourth.
Mundo Deportivo chose the line “Blow and excuses”, focusing on Real’s collapse after being reduced to 10 players. Madrid’s sports papers took a different route: Marca framed the night around Atlético’s enjoyment and Mourinho’s outburst, listing the contentious calls.
AS placed greater weight on the officiating itself, presenting the derby as a strong Atlético display overshadowed by a refereeing controversy. It gave limited space to Mourinho’s words but featured the two disputed Real claims alongside its main image.
