Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card in Sunday’s Madrid derby defeat to Atlético Madrid. The Spanish football disciplinary committee confirmed the sanction on Wednesday following its review of the incidents from the seventh matchday of the La Liga season. Huijsen was sent off during Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at the Metropolitano after conceding a penalty for a foul on Atlético forward Giuliano Simeone.
The incident occurred in the 50th minute, when Simeone went down inside the Real Madrid penalty area following contact with Huijsen. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias initially awarded Atlético a penalty and showed Huijsen a yellow card, but VAR referee Trujillo Suárez intervened and recommended an on-field review. After watching the replay, Ortiz Arias determined that Huijsen’s challenge warranted a red card, and Atlético were subsequently awarded the penalty, which Alejandro Grimaldo converted to put the hosts ahead.
The dismissal left Real Madrid with 10 men at a crucial stage of the contest and significantly altered the balance of the match. Atlético took advantage of their numerical superiority and extended their lead through Jonathan David in the 59th minute before Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid late in the game. Despite a late push for an equaliser, Real Madrid were unable to recover as Atlético held on for a 2-1 victory.
The one-match ban means Huijsen will miss Real Madrid’s return to league action after the international break, against Villarreal on Saturday, October 10. The fixture will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu and is scheduled to kick off at 9pm local time. It will be Real Madrid’s first league match after the October international window, and Huijsen’s absence represents a selection issue for coach José Mourinho.
Before his dismissal at the Metropolitano, Huijsen had established himself as a regular presence in Real Madrid’s starting XI. La Liga statistics show the 21-year-old among the leading Real Madrid players for passing and interceptions during the opening weeks of the season. He has also been heavily involved in the team’s build-up play, with his ability to progress possession from the back forming part of Real Madrid’s approach under Mourinho.
The suspension also comes in the aftermath of a disappointing derby result for Real Madrid. Atlético took all three points at the Metropolitano after Grimaldo converted the penalty created by Huijsen’s dismissal before David doubled the advantage. Rüdiger’s 89th-minute header gave Real Madrid hope, but Atlético held firm to claim a 2-1 victory, moving them to second place in the early La Liga standings.
Real Madrid face defensive selection decision With Huijsen unavailable against Villarreal, Mourinho will have to consider his alternatives in central defence. The club’s defensive options include experienced players capable of stepping into the vacant position, while the international break will give the coaching staff additional time to work on possible combinations.
Key points
- Huijsen's red card in the Madrid derby led to a one-match suspension.
- The suspension will cause Huijsen to miss Real Madrid's match against Villarreal on October 10.
- Huijsen had established himself as a regular starter for Real Madrid before his dismissal.
