Atlético Madrid's manager, Diego Simeone, emphasized the importance of respecting referees and teammates during the post-match press conference following his team's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish league derby. The match, which took place on Sunday, September 20, 2026, saw Atlético Madrid climb to second place with 16 points, five points behind league leaders Barcelona.
Simeone's comments come in response to criticism from Real Madrid's coach, José Mourinho, who expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's decisions during the match. Mourinho labeled the referee as "poor" and claimed that the officials made "catastrophic" decisions that cost his team the game.
In his press conference, Simeone urged caution and respect among coaches, players, and officials. He highlighted that experienced coaches like himself, Mourinho, Flick, and Pellegrini enjoy a high level of respect and must be mindful of their words and actions. Simeone stressed that crossing the line of respect is unacceptable, regardless of one's status or reputation.
The Atlético Madrid manager then turned his attention to the match, praising his team's performance and control throughout the game. He acknowledged Real Madrid's strengths, particularly their offensive capabilities and exceptional players, but expressed satisfaction with how his team managed the game and limited their opponents' opportunities.
Simeone revealed that his team was aware of Real Madrid's weaknesses, particularly on the right flank, and took advantage of these vulnerabilities. He expressed pride in his team's collective effort and performance, which he believes will be crucial in their pursuit of success this season.
When asked about incidents in the match, including red cards, Simeone chose not to comment extensively, stating that the game was already over and that the referee had made his decisions. He did, however, express his happiness for players like Jonathan David, who made a significant impact off the bench, and reiterated the importance of teamwork and squad depth.
Finally, Simeone was asked if the derby win represented a turning point for his team. He emphasized that the league is long and that the win is a positive step for a team still in development. Simeone called for his team to stay focused, work hard, and take each match as it comes, citing examples of players like Koke, who made a significant impact after coming on as a substitute.
Key points
- Diego Simeone urges respect for referees and teammates after Atlético Madrid's derby win over Real Madrid.
- José Mourinho criticizes referee's decisions after Real Madrid's loss to Atlético Madrid.
- Atlético Madrid climbs to second place in the Spanish league with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid.
