Diego Simeone, Manager of Atletico Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
Real Madrid failed to break their Metropolitano curse, losing 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in La Liga under controversial circumstances.
It was a game where the refereeing decisions became the forefront of the conversation and the actual football took a back seat.
Jose Mourinho made sure to let everyone know what he thought of the decision to send off Dean Huijsen but not give red cards to Atletico players in his post-match press conference.
Now, Diego Simeone has responded strongly to Mourinho’s criticism of the refereeing following Real Madrid’s derby defeat.
Simeone responds to Mourinho
As quoted by AS, Simeone was asked about Mourinho’s explosive post-match press conference, during which the Real Madrid coach displayed images of two challenges he believed should have resulted in Atletico red cards.
“We respect everything others say, but we have to understand that Flick, Mourinho, Pellegrini, Simeone, we are in a privileged position, with enormous exposure as coaches, and we have to be careful with what we say,” Simeone said.
“We have to know how to respect the referee and our fellow professionals. When someone crosses that line of respect, whether your name is Mourinho, Simeone, Flick or Pellegrini, it isn’t right. You shouldn’t cross that line.”
Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player
Federico Valverde was on the receiving end of a horrible tackle from Kang-in Lee. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Mourinho had been furious about challenges involving Romero on Jude Bellingham and Kang-in Lee on Federico Valverde, arguing that both should have resulted in red cards.
When specifically asked about Mourinho appearing with images of the controversial incidents, Simeone initially offered a short response: “Nothing to say.”
Simeone talks about the general feeling with refereeing decisions
Simeone later explained his position when discussing whether refereeing decisions had influenced the derby.
“Sometimes they benefit you, other times they go against you,” the Atletico coach said.
“The head of the referees explained that Cuti’s incident wasn’t a sending-off. I’m not going to go into the details.”
“What I do understand, from the positions we occupy, is that respect for referees, regardless of whether I benefited today, is something we have to maintain, because otherwise anything goes.”
Simeone then delivered his clearest message towards his Madrid counterpart.
“Not everything is acceptable, no matter if your name is Mourinho.”
Derby controversy continues to spill over
Mourinho had argued after the defeat that Madrid should have spent much of the match playing against nine men, while also questioning both the referee’s experience and the VAR’s handling of the incidents.
Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone insists on being respectful after Jose Mourinho’s after-game words. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
However, more than the respect that Diego Simeone seems to expect, making this about the referees is very counter-productive from a Madrid perspective.
The bottom line last night was that Los Blancos were nowhere close to the level the talent of their squad suggests.
They were second best for much of the game, with important big names failing to influence proceedings, and the 2-1 scoreline is perhaps flattering considering how things played out.
Refereeing injustices or not, Madrid have to use this international break to wake up because Barcelona look unstoppable in La Liga.
Unless Mourinho manages to completely revamp the mentality of this team and their style of play, early signs suggest Madrid are set to have yet another long season in the Spanish league.
Mourinho points to refereeing decisions when explaining Real Madrid’s six-point gap to Barcelona: ‘You have to laugh’
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images
Real Madrid head into the international break fourth in La Liga, behind league leaders Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis.
Los Blancos have a six-point gap to their Catalan rivals in these early stages of the season, with Hansi Flick’s team enjoying a perfect start to their campaign.
Last night’s 2-1 Madrid derby loss to Atletico Madrid left Mourinho furious with the officiating, and he went on an explosive rant in his press conference.
As quoted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho has pointed towards a series of refereeing decisions when discussing why Madrid find themselves six points behind Barça.
Mourinho points to controversial decisions
Asked about Barcelona’s six-point advantage, Mourinho suggested the current standings could look different under other circumstances.
“Maybe in different circumstances… We’ve seen things in this stadium this week, the cancelled goal against Osasuna, the cancelled penalty in San Sebastian, the Barcelona penalty,” Mourinho said.
“Then, you have to laugh.”
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho was certainly not happy with the refereeing decisions. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Mourinho had already argued that Atletico should have been reduced to nine men during the first half following challenges on Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde.
He even brought images of the incidents into his press conference to underline his complaints.
He then went one step further by pointing to refereeing decisions as the reason why his team find themselves six points behind Barça in the La Liga table after seven games.
Madrid cannot ignore the six-point gap
Mourinho’s frustration is understandable given how strongly he felt about the decisions at the Metropolitano.
The potential injury to Federico Valverde following one of those challenges is only bound to add fuel to the fire after what was already an emotionally charged game.
However, refereeing decisions cannot fully explain a league table. Whatever Mourinho thinks about individual decisions, the performances have left a lot to be desired.
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid player
Players like Vinicius Jr. have to step up for Real Madrid after the international break. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
That does not mean refereeing discussions are irrelevant. Major decisions can influence tight matches and, over an entire season, potentially valuable points.
Six points at this stage of the campaign are recoverable, especially with so much football still to play. However, Madrid’s attitude needs to change.
Barça have given themselves valuable early breathing room, and Madrid can no longer afford many afternoons like the one they experienced at the Metropolitano.
The onus is now on Mourinho to take control of the situation and ensure that his team can put in more consistent performances after the three-week international break.