Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Matchday 7 of La Liga, with José Mourinho left furious over what he believed were two clear red-card decisions that went against his side.
Mourinho did not hold back in his post-match press conference, questioning both the referee's experience and the decisions made by VAR official Trujillo. The Portuguese coach insisted that Atletico should have been reduced to nine men and suggested that the officiating had a major influence on the game.
“We could have saved ourselves the press conference,” Mourinho said, holding up images of the two incidents. “Here they are — two clear red cards. It would have been 50 minutes of 11 against nine.”
Despite the defeat, Mourinho praised his players for their performance, particularly in the first half.
“All I can do is hug my players, who gave everything,” he said. “They produced a first half full of quality and personality. I prepared the game so we could win it in the second half.”
Mourinho then turned his attention to the referee's appointment, questioning why a 41-year-old official with no previous experience of international matches had been selected to oversee such a high-profile derby.
“The poor guy came here and couldn't handle the pressure,” Mourinho said. “The pressure here is like something out of the 1980s.”
The Real Madrid coach was also critical of VAR official Trujillo, claiming that the referee was sent to the monitor for the first potential red card but not for the second incident, which Mourinho considered even clearer.
“Trujillo, the VAR official, called him over for the first red and didn't call him over for the second, which was even clearer,” he said.
Mourinho also brought up Trujillo's previous involvement in matches connected with Real Madrid, referring to last year's Copa del Rey final and games involving Osasuna and Girona.
“If the poor referee has no experience, no stature for a derby, then either there is no pressure on him in Las Rozas, or there is a kind of pressure we know nothing about,” Mourinho added.
The Portuguese coach, who has been in charge of Real Madrid for only three months, said he would have preferred to leave the stadium with three points rather than have to discuss the officials.
“I would have liked to leave here with the win or without having to speak,” Mourinho said. “I arrived here three months ago and you know I'm not usually one to go in this direction.”
Mourinho also recalled Real Madrid's previous match against Elche, when his side were shown two red cards but still managed to win.
“Two reds against Elche and we won. Two reds today, that's already more difficult,” he said.
Mourinho eventually ended his press conference with a sarcastic message aimed at the refereeing authorities:
“Congratulations to the Refereeing Appointments Committee.”