Real Madrid issue strong statement after controversial Atletico Madrid defeat

Real Madrid left the RiyadhAir Metropolitano on Sunday with zero points, as Jose Mourinho’s side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Post-match, the overriding emotion was anger, given that a number of big calls made by on-field referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias went against them.

Prior to Dean Huijsen being sent off for a last man challenge on Giuliano Simeone, Real Madrid felt that Atleti should have been reduced to nine men. Cristian Romero was only shown a yellow card for a challenge on Jude Bellingham, while Lee Kang-in escaped any punished after he went in on Federico Valverde – which has left the Uruguayan with an injury.

Mourinho made his feelings very clear when he spoke to the media in the minutes after full time, and Real Madrid themselves also criticised the performance of Ortiz Arias in a post-match statement.

“Real Madrid lost at the Metropolitano in a derby marked by the terrible refereeing of Ortiz Arias, who did not send off Cuti Romero in the first half for stepping on Bellingham’s knee (despite the fact that he went to see the play on the monitor) or Kang-In Lee for stepping on Valverde’s left ankle. Both decisions marked the match, which was resolved in the second half in favour of Atletico.”

Real Madrid feel very aggrieved after derby defeat

The truth is that Real Madrid’s performance against Atleti did not deserve any points, although that is immaterial right now. There is a strong sense of injustice on the back of the two non-red card decisions made by Ortiz Arias, as had Romero and Lee been dismissed in the first half, there is a very good chance that Mourinho’s side would have went on to win. It’s also not ideal that a three-week international break is up next, as these feelings are not able to be replaced anytime soon.