Mourinho Holds Up Red-Card Evidence After Real Madrid Lose Madrid Derby

Real Madrid boss arrives at press conference with printed images as refereeing controversy overshadows Atlético’s 2-1 victory

José Mourinho turned his post-match press conference into a visual presentation after Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid, arriving with an A4 sheet displaying images of two first-half incidents he believed should have resulted in Atlético players being sent off.

The Portuguese coach argued that Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in should both have received red cards, insisting the decisions had a major influence on a fiercely contested Madrid derby.

Mourinho held up the printed images before reporters and suggested there was little else to discuss about the match.

Real Madrid’s own official match report also criticised referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias over the two incidents.

Mourinho’s Two Red-Card Claims

The first incident involved Jude Bellingham and Cristian Romero in the first half.

Bellingham was initially booked following a challenge involving the Atlético defender. After a VAR review, however, the referee overturned Bellingham’s yellow card and instead showed Romero a yellow card after determining that the Atlético player had made contact with Bellingham with his studs.

Mourinho believed the challenge should have resulted in a straight red card.

The second incident involved Lee Kang-in and Federico Valverde.

Mourinho argued that Lee’s challenge, which made contact with Valverde’s ankle, also warranted a sending-off. The referee did not show a card, and VAR did not intervene at the time.

Refereeing Debate Gains Further Attention

The controversy did not end with Mourinho’s post-match comments.

Spain’s refereeing technical committee reportedly concluded that Lee Kang-in should have been sent off for the challenge on Valverde, while also supporting the decision to dismiss Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen later in the match.

That assessment gives additional weight to one part of Mourinho’s complaint, although the two first-half incidents remain a matter of wider debate.

Real Madrid Reduced to 10 Men

While Mourinho was demanding Atlético red cards, it was Real Madrid who eventually went down to 10 men.

Five minutes into the second half, Dean Huijsen was sent off following a VAR review, after the referee awarded Atlético a penalty for his challenge on Giuliano Simeone.

Alejandro Grimaldo converted the penalty to give Atlético the lead.

Jonathan David then doubled Atlético’s advantage in the 59th minute, before Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid with a late header.

Madrid pushed for an equaliser but could not find a second goal.

Simeone Calls for Respect

Atlético manager Diego Simeone took a different approach when asked about Mourinho’s criticism.

Simeone said coaches working at major clubs operate under enormous public scrutiny and should be careful about how they speak about referees, opponents and fellow coaches.

He praised his team’s collective performance and said Atlético had controlled the match through their defensive organisation, teamwork and ability to limit Real Madrid’s dangerous transitions.

Mourinho Praises His Players

Despite the defeat, Mourinho said he had no complaints about his players.

He praised their character and performance, particularly during the first half, and said the players continued to show determination even after being reduced to 10 men.

The Real Madrid manager also said he had not yet watched the full VAR replay of Huijsen’s dismissal when speaking to reporters immediately after the game.

Atlético Move Second

The victory was significant for Atlético, who moved into second place in La Liga with 16 points, while Real Madrid dropped to fourth.

Barcelona remain five points ahead of Atlético at the top of the table, according to the latest standings reported after the derby.

For Atlético, the result provided an important boost in the early stages of the campaign.

For Real Madrid, it was their second league defeat of the season and another match accompanied by controversy over refereeing decisions.

Mourinho: The Season Is Still Long

Despite his anger over the officiating, Mourinho insisted that the defeat should be viewed in the context of a long season.

His message was that the final position in the standings will matter more than the table in September.

The Real Madrid boss will now have to prepare his team for the next stage of the campaign after the international break, with the derby defeat leaving Madrid needing to close the early gap at the top.

African360 Sports Analysis

The Madrid derby produced two separate storylines: Atlético’s victory and the continuing debate over officiating.

Mourinho’s decision to physically present the disputed incidents at his press conference ensured that the refereeing controversy became almost as prominent as the result itself.

There is now an additional layer to the debate following the refereeing committee’s reported assessment of Lee Kang-in’s challenge. At the same time, Real Madrid’s own official account of the match naturally reflects the club’s perspective and should be distinguished from independent assessments.

On the pitch, Atlético showed enough defensive organisation to protect their lead after Madrid went down to 10 men. Real Madrid’s late response demonstrated their ability to remain competitive, but the damage had already been done.

The bigger question for Mourinho now is how his team responds when La Liga resumes. With the season still in its early stages, the Madrid derby may prove to be one of many important chapters rather than the defining moment of the campaign.

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