Torres and Makelele criticise Real Madrid after Atlético defeat

Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Atlético in the seventh round of La Liga has drawn criticism from two former players, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said the team's fate is still in its own hands.

Miguel Torres, speaking on Movistar, pointed to the team's structure. "Real have no structure. Marc Cucurella looks like a different player, even a bad player, but only because there is no structure in the team. There are no worked-out interactions at all," he said.

Cucurella joined from Chelsea for 55 million euros after winning the World Cup with Spain. The 28-year-old defender has played eight official matches for Real without a goal or an assist, and he looked uncertain at the back. Against Atlético he failed to stop Simeone's cross, from which David scored the second goal. Torres also drew a comparison with Barcelona: "The weeks go by, and regardless of whom Barcelona sign or even don't sign, everything works for them."

Claude Makelele went further and turned to the dressing room. He told ESPN: "There is no understanding between the players, and no understanding between the players and the coach. Mourinho needs to talk to them. The team is weak, there is no game plan and no ideas — nothing at all."

Courtois wrote on social media: "Obviously, the defeat has disappointed us. But everything is in our hands. We can step up and avoid losing points in future."

Real are fourth with 15 points after seven matches. Barcelona lead with 19. Mourinho's side host Villarreal on 10 October.

Mourinho's own account of the match, reported earlier, centred on refereeing. He said Lee Kang-in should have been sent off in the first half, and Huijsen's red card is in question. Neither Torres nor Makelele, in the remarks reported here, mentioned the officials.

If the criticism from Torres and Makelele reflects a wider view, Mourinho may have to answer for the team's play as well as for the refereeing before the Villarreal game.