Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has launched a pointed criticism of the refereeing in a recent match against Real Betis Balompié, specifically concerning a controversial penalty. The Portuguese manager expressed bewilderment over the decision not to retake the spot-kick despite an encroachment.
Mourinho insisted his team's loss to the Sevillian side was not due to that officiating moment. "Perdimos con el Betis, porque no traducimos en goles la producción ofensiva que el equipo ha tenido," stated the Madrid boss. His focus is now on the Champions League opener against Inter Milan, a match he views as significant but not ultimatum for qualification.
What did Mourinho say about the penalty?
The incident occurred when the referee awarded a penalty to Betis, taken by Kylian Mbappé. Marc Batra entered the penalty area before the ball was struck, an infringement that normally mandates a retake. Mourinho questioned the officiating team's handling of the situation. "Si es porque no ha querido, todavía peor. Si no sabían el reglamento, ¿por qué no llamaron al árbitro para verlo en el monitor?" he said. Vinícius Júnior also received a yellow card during the same sequence for approaching the referee to protest.
What is Real Betis's current league context?
While Real Madrid prepares for its European fixture, Real Betis is navigating the domestic season with a strong start. The Andalusian club currently sits fourth in the La Liga table with 9 points, from three wins and one loss in their opening four games. Their goal difference is perfectly even, having scored five and conceded five. This form places them just three points behind leaders Barcelona, keeping them in the mix at the top. You can follow the full standings on our standings page.
What does Mourinho expect from the Inter match?
The Portuguese coach downplayed the do-or-die nature of the clash with Inter Milan, their first Group Stage opponent in the Champions League. Mourinho noted his team has already played eight games in this phase of the competition and that the primary objective is simply to advance. "I believe both, Real Madrid and Inter, will go through to the next stage," he remarked. He acknowledged, however, that every point in the group stage is important, a sentiment undoubtedly shared by the Italian side. The manager also referenced a past Champions League semi-final loss on penalties but stated he does not dwell on it.
What is next for Real Betis?
After being at the centre of the refereeing controversy criticized by Mourinho, Real Betis must now turn its attention to the next league challenge. Manuel Pellegrini's side travels to face Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Monday, September 14th. The 'Yellow Submarine' is experiencing a difficult spell and sits 17th in the table, making this a key opportunity for Los Verdiblancos to consolidate their positive momentum. All details on the club's upcoming schedule can be found in our fixtures list.
