Mourinho blames referees as Atlético beat Real Madrid in fiery derby

José Mourinho returned to the Madrid derby stage with a familiar prop and an even more familiar complaint. After Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano, Mourinho produced a printed sheet showing two first-half tackles he believed should have resulted in red cards.

Mourinho’s paper trail

“We can save ourselves the bother of the press conference,” Mourinho said, holding up the paper. The images showed Cuti Romero’s studs catching Jude Bellingham’s knee and Kang-in Lee catching Fede Valverde’s ankle. Mourinho argued that both incidents warranted dismissals and that Atlético should have been reduced to nine players.

Instead, Real Madrid were reduced to 10 early in the second half. Dean Huijsen brought down Giuliano Simeone to concede a penalty and was sent off, allowing Atlético to take control of the match. Mourinho repeatedly questioned the referee’s decisions, describing the pressure on the official as being “like the 1980s” and referring to “strange things” happening.

The defeat revived memories of Mourinho’s previous spell in Madrid, when he publicly listed refereeing errors after contentious matches. He insisted that he did not want to suggest the league was “set up” for another team to win, while also saying Real Madrid would continue fighting for the title “if they let us.”

Atlético expose Madrid’s wider problems

The officiating controversy dominated Mourinho’s post-match appearance, but it also diverted attention from an uncomfortable performance. Atlético had more than twice as many shots and roughly two-thirds of the possession. Real Madrid’s first shot on target did not arrive until the 39th minute, and the visitors offered little after Huijsen’s dismissal.

Atlético targeted Real Madrid’s left side and controlled much of the contest without needing to take excessive risks. Real Madrid’s late goal created some tension inside the stadium, but Atlético still produced the better chances afterward. The performance suggested that the club’s underlying difficulties have not disappeared during its rebuilding process.

Real Madrid are already six points behind the leaders after seven rounds. That gap is not decisive so early in the season, but the team has looked vulnerable enough to raise questions about whether it could capitalize if the leaders falter.

Giuliano Simeone makes his derby mark

For Giuliano Simeone, the victory carried a personal dimension. Thirteen years ago, when his father Diego Simeone faced Mourinho in a previous Madrid derby, Giuliano was a 10-year-old who watched from home after being told he was too young to attend the final.

This time, the 23-year-old Atlético player helped decide the contest himself. He won the penalty that put Atlético ahead and contributed to the second goal, then celebrated with the intensity of a lifelong supporter. The moment offered a striking contrast between two eras: Mourinho returning to old arguments, and Simeone’s son becoming an active participant in the rivalry.

For Mourinho, the defeat was framed through missed red cards and disputed decisions. For Atlético, it was a statement of control in the derby—and another indication that Real Madrid’s problems run deeper than the referee’s performance.