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# Mourinho Shows Tackle Images After Real Madrid’s Derby Defeat

Published: Sep 21. 2026
Reading Time: 3 mins

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

After Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Atlético Madrid, José Mourinho proved two fouls in a match at the Metropolitano in a press conference and considered them to be enough for the sending off of both players.

**Mourinho showed pictures of two fouls made by Romero and Lee Kang-in on Real Madrid players Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. **José Mourinho questioned why Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in remained on the pitch following challenges on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. Real Madrid played with 10 players after Dean Huijsen received a red card which led to the first goal from the penalty spot. 

## **Mourinho Disputes Two First-Half Decisions**

Presenting images of the challenges to journalists, Mourinho made clear that he considered the decisions central to the result.

“We could skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here,” he said.

“Those were two clear red cards.”

Mourinho argued that playing against nine men would have created a very different contest from the one Real Madrid faced after Huijsen’s dismissal. 

## **Huijsen Dismissal Gives Atlético the Advantage**

The second half had a huge turn when Huijsen was sent off after he brought down Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area. 

Alejandro Grimaldo scored the penalty to put Atlético ahead, before Jonathan David doubled the lead. Antonio Rüdiger later headed in a free-kick to reduce the deficit, but Real Madrid could not find an equalizer. 

## **Real Madrid Support Mourinho’s Complaints**

Real Madrid’s official match report also criticized the officiating, identifying the same two first-half incidents.

According to the club’s account, Ortiz Arias initially booked Bellingham following his collision with Romero in the 35th minute. After a pitch side review, the referee cancelled Bellingham’s caution and instead showed Romero a yellow card.

The club also questioned the absence of a booking for Lee’s challenge on Valverde nine minutes later, arguing that both decisions had influenced the match. These were Real Madrid’s assessments of the incidents, rather than an independent ruling on the referee’s performance. 

## **Mourinho Questions Appointment as Simeone Urges Restraint**

Mourinho also attacked the appointment of referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias. The Spanish ref had not had a game of such magnitude before, and therefore was not up to the test, according to the Portuguese coach. In the first part of the match his team played very well, he said. 

This loss leaves Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona, where Simeone urged coaches to remain respectful when talking about officials.