Mourinho waves his evidence as derby fury overshadows Real defeat
Jose Mourinho walked into his press conference carrying a single sheet of A4 paper.
Printed on it were two frozen moments from Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat away to Atletico Madrid on 20 September. It was Mourinho's first derby back in charge of Real. For him, the paper told the whole story, BBC Sport.
"We could skip the press conference because the story of the match is here," Mourinho said, holding up the two photos, according to Real Madrid.
A derby is a match between two rival clubs from the same city. This one was loud and tight. Mourinho's complaint was simple. Atletico, he said, should have had two players sent off in the first half.
The first incident came in the 37th minute. Jude Bellingham and Atletico defender Cristian Romero chased a loose ball. Replays showed Romero caught Bellingham on the knee with his studs, the small spikes on the bottom of his boot.
Bellingham was first shown a yellow card. After a check by VAR, the video assistant referee system that reviews key decisions on screen, that yellow was taken away. Romero was booked instead. Mourinho believed it should have been red. A red card means a sending-off, leaving that team to finish with ten men.
The second flashpoint involved Atletico's Lee Kang-in and Real's Fede Valverde. Mourinho called it a straight red card offence. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias did not agree, and VAR did not intervene, ESPN.
Real Madrid's official match report said Ortiz Arias "spared" red cards for Romero and Lee in the first half, according to Real Madrid.
Then the red card that was given went the other way. Early in the second half, Real defender Dean Huijsen was sent off. Atletico were awarded a penalty as a result. They made their extra man count.
Jonathan David proved decisive for Atletico against the ten men, according to The Guardian. His contribution earned Atletico the 2-1 win, Reuters reported.
The result moved the table. Atletico went second. Real dropped to fourth, with Atletico sitting five points behind leaders Barcelona.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone tried to cool the row afterwards. He urged respect after what Reuters described as a fiery derby.
For fans, this means more than three points. Mourinho back in a Madrid derby, a one-goal margin, and a manager waving printed stills in a press room. It was ninety minutes that gave the whole city something to argue about.
