Mourinho slams referee after 1-2 derby loss to Atlético
At the Estadio Metropolitano, José Mourinho, who is back coaching Real Madrid after thirteen years, expressed his disappointment over the 1-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid and left no doubt about his criticism of the referees. After a brief first spell, in which Atlético took the lead with an early goal, he emphasized that the result was mainly determined by bad decisions.
Earlier Outbursts and New Calm
During his first spell in Spain, Mourinho was mainly known for loud outbursts against FC Barcelona – for example in 2011 at the Super Cup, when he poked Tito Vilanova in the eye with his finger, or in 2012 after a 2-2 in a parking garage, where he confronted the referee. Today, he said in a press conference, it is easier for him to keep calm than it was five, ten or twenty years ago. This self‑reflection was interpreted by the FAZ as an indication that the lack of major titles has given him more composure.
Press Conference and Self‑Reflection
Before the season’s first league match, a Spanish sports journalist asked: “What would the Mourinho of back then advise the Mourinho of today?”. Mourinho answered with a smile: “A good question, a philosophical question. The Mourinho of today could give the one from 2013 some advice – you always have to keep calm.” In the Spanish daily El País, the app headline “Mou, are you that one?” was also picked up to comment on the return of the old coach.
Criticism of the Referee Team
According to Reuters, Mourinho criticised the refereeing committee because a 41‑year‑old referee with no international experience was used. He called the man “not good enough” and also targeted the VAR official, whom he described as “having great experience with Real Madrid’s games”. These accusations, Mourinho said, distract from his team’s actual performances.
Match Progress and Controversial Decisions
In the first half, Atlético player Romero’s studs struck Bellingham’s knee, but the referee only showed a yellow card. Shortly after, the referee and assistant missed a dangerous jump by the Korean Kang‑In Lee onto Valverde’s ankle, which prevented a potential eleven‑against‑nine scenario. In the second half, an incident involving Huijsen, who held Guiliano Simeone in the penalty area, led to a penalty and a red card for the Real Madrid defender.
Reaction and Outlook
Mourinho still praised his team for character and personality, embraced the players after the match and emphasized that the defeat was mainly due to the officials’ bad decisions. The ongoing debate about his stance and the criticism of referees remains a central issue in Spanish football, which both Blick and other media continue to follow.