Mourinho displays images of controversial tackles after Real Madrid defeat

Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration with officiating following Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in La Liga. In a post-match press conference, he displayed images of two controversial tackles, arguing that both should have resulted in red cards. Mourinho specifically highlighted a stamp by Atletico defender Cristian Romero on Jude Bellingham and a challenge by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde, both of which he believed significantly impacted the match.

The match saw Real Madrid reduced to ten men after Dean Huijsen was sent off for a foul on Giuliano Simeone, which led to a penalty converted by Alejandro Grimaldo. Atletico extended their lead shortly after, with Jonathan David scoring. Antonio Rudiger managed to pull one back for Madrid late in the game, but the damage had already been done. Mourinho lamented the challenges faced by his team after the sending-off.

Mourinho described the first half as one filled with class and character from his players, but he did not hold back in his criticism of referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias. He questioned the decision to appoint a referee with no international experience to such a high-pressure match, suggesting it was a poor choice. He noted that the referee struggled under the intense atmosphere of the derby.

Real Madrid echoed Mourinho's sentiments in their official match report, stating that the defeat was influenced by poor officiating. The club highlighted the missed red card opportunities for Romero and Kang-In Lee, asserting that these decisions shaped the outcome of the match. They noted that the game had been relatively uneventful until the controversial moments began to unfold, leading to a shift in momentum favoring Atletico.

via Sky Sports