According to Spanish newspaper AS, the atmosphere in the visiting team's locker room after the match at Metropolitano Stadium was tense. A Real member reportedly shouted, "They played us for fools. They sent a coward to officiate."

Real's outrage focused on two incidents: Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in's tackles on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, neither of which resulted in a red card. The visiting team also believed Alex Baena deserved two yellow cards for fouls on Arda Guler early in the match.

The most controversial incident involved Lee Kang-in's challenge on Valverde's ankle area. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias did not issue a red card, and VAR referee Trujillo Suarez did not suggest a review. Real stated that Valverde subsequently suffered a serious ankle injury.

Lee Kang-in's challenge with the sole of his boot on Federico Valverde's left ankle did not result in a red card. *Screenshot*

Real compared this decision to Valverde himself being sent off for fouling Baena in another derby in 3/2026. The visiting team argued that Lee's tackle was more dangerous but did not receive a commensurate penalty.

Another first-half incident that angered Real was when Romero stepped on Bellingham's foot. Initially, the referee intended to penalize the English midfielder, before VAR intervened and the yellow card was switched to Romero. Real believed the Atletico defender deserved to be sent off instead of just receiving a warning.

In contrast, Real defender Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half for preventing Giuliano Simeone from scoring in the penalty area. The initial decision was a yellow card, but the referee upgraded it to a red card after consulting VAR. Real played with ten men from the 52nd minute and conceded two consecutive goals, before Antonio Rudiger narrowed the score to 1-2 late in the match.

Tensions also spilled into the tunnel at halftime. Antonio Rudiger and Morten Hjulmand exchanged words, leading to reactions from members of both coaching staffs. The referee then issued red cards to Atletico's goalkeeping coach Pablo Vercellone and Jose Mourinho's assistant Pedro Machado. Machado reportedly apologized to Hjulmand once the situation calmed down.

Faced with the risk of players making uncontrolled statements, Real instructed the entire squad not to give interviews. Mourinho expressed the club's views on their behalf. The Portuguese coach brought photos of the fouls to the press conference, arguing that both Romero and Lee deserved red cards. He also questioned the competence of the refereeing team, but Atletico countered, with coach Diego Simeone calling on the opponents to respect the match officials.

Coach Mourinho (right) gives instructions during Real's 1-2 loss to Atletico in La Liga's 7th round, at Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, 20/9. *AP*

Real's dissatisfaction was not limited to just the derby. According to AS, the players believed that many decisions since the start of the season had favored their two rivals, Barca and Atletico. These included Osasuna's disallowed goal, Atletico's penalty at Sociedad, and the situation where Lamine Yamal earned a penalty for Barca against Levante.

Real left Metropolitano feeling the outcome could have been different if Atletico had been reduced to ten men. However, the referee controversy did not completely overshadow the visiting team's professional issues. Atletico controlled most of the match, limiting the impact of Real's attacking stars even before Huijsen was sent off.

The victory helped Atletico surpass Real to second place with 16 points. Real stood right behind with 15 points, while Barca continued to lead La Liga with seven consecutive wins.

Vy Anh