Madrid derby erupts early as Simeone booked and Mourinho calls for Baena punishment

The Madrid derby burst into life after just five minutes when a challenge between Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena led to a booking for Diego Simeone.

Guler was carrying the ball forward when Baena challenged him from behind, sending the Real Madrid player to the ground. Referee Ortiz Arias awarded Real Madrid a free-kick but chose not to show Baena a card.

Former referee Iturralde Gonzalez said Baena had used his knee to bring Guler down and believed the Atletico Madrid player should have been cautioned.

“It is a yellow card because he hit him with his knee from behind. It is a clear foul,” he said.

Guler appealed for Baena to be booked, while Simeone objected to the Real Madrid player’s reaction. The Atletico Madrid manager was shown a yellow card for his protest.

The tension between Guler and Baena continued in the 18th minute when the two players were involved in another incident. The referee again decided against issuing a card, prompting Mourinho to call for disciplinary action.

Iturralde Gonzalez later revisited the incident, arguing that Baena’s use of his knee made the challenge more dangerous than if he had used his leg.

He also questioned the decision to book Simeone, pointing out that several Real Madrid substitutes had also stood up to protest and could have been treated in the same way.