Mourinho Blasts Referee Ortiz Arias After Atlético Beat Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the derby at the Metropolitano, and Real coach José Mourinho used the podium to attack Ortiz Arias, rather than the result.

Mourinho arrived with a sheet of paper showing two challenges on Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in, that he said should have brought red cards. Huijsen was sent off, leaving Real with ten men. Mourinho claimed fouls on Bellingham and Valverde should have been reds.

"We could spare ourselves the press conference, the story of the match is here. They are two clear reds," Mourinho said.

He pivoted to the official. "He’s too young for a derby. He is 41 years old. He is a poor referee who has only whistled small games. Congratulations to the refereeing committee on this appointment," Mourinho said. He added that the VAR, Trujillo, "also has a history with Real Madrid", and cited a Copa game at Girona against Osasuna.

"I don't want to say this was prepared; I prefer to believe they made a mistake," Mourinho said. "Things happen in this stadium that are not normal. The disallowed goal for Osasuna is a joke, what happened in San Sebastián... LaLiga is still exactly what I left behind. We will fight. My boys leave here sad." He finished with a jab at the old regime: "Negreira gone, or still lurking?"

Real Madrid also issued a statement through the club's channels. It said the derby was "marred by the abominable performance of referee Ortiz Arias", and that his decisions over Romero and Lee were decisive, with the game settled in Atlético's favour in the second half.

Giuliano won the penalty and set up David. Grimaldo added a spot-kick. David is on three in three. Real struggled to create.

Real trail leaders Barcelona by six points; Atlético have moved top.