Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a fiercely contested derby, with José Mourinho’s return to the fixture marked by familiar complaints about refereeing and perceived conspiracy. Mourinho presented printed images of two challenges he believed deserved red cards, arguing that officiating decisions had fundamentally shaped the match and reviving the combative, distrustful style associated with his earlier Madrid tenure.

He claimed Cuti Romero’s studs on Jude Bellingham and Kang-in Lee’s challenge on Fede Valverde should have resulted in Atlético playing with nine men, but Real instead went down to 10 after Dean Huijsen conceded a penalty and was sent off for bringing down Giuliano Simeone. Mourinho devoted four of five press-conference answers to the referee, criticised the pressure placed on officials and said Real were already six points behind in the title race, while offering little discussion of the football itself.