Atlético Fires Back at Mourinho on Social Media with a Printer and a Blunt Message

A printer spitting out a sheet of paper. That's how Atlético Madrid's response to José Mourinho began, and it was anything but subtle. The red and white club decided to answer the Real Madrid coach's refereeing complaints on social media after Sunday's derby, and it did so with a direct tone, almost like a full counterattack.

It all stems from the post-match press conference, which followed Atlético's 2-1 win. Mourinho showed up in front of reporters with two printed photographs in hand and got straight to the point: he displayed images of Cuti Romero's challenge on Bellingham and Kang-in Lee's challenge on Valverde, both from the first half, and argued both should have resulted in red cards.

We could skip the press conference. The story of the match is right here. These are two clear red cards.José Mourinho

The Portuguese coach didn't stop there. He insisted his team finished the match a man down and that it shaped everything that followed.

Given the trouble we had playing eleven against ten, imagine what 50 minutes would have looked like with eleven of us against nine of them.José Mourinho

Atlético's response, no filter

The Madrid club didn't let a single day pass. This Monday it rolled out a series of posts on its social media accounts, three in total, all aimed squarely at Real Madrid's complaint. The first was the most eye-catching: a video showing a printer spitting out a sheet with a photo of Mourinho at the exact moment he held up the images in the press room. Below it, in red and white lettering, ran a pointed message: "Stop the referee harassment already."

The third post in the series was even more direct, almost carrying a warning tone. Alongside an image of a triangle with three gears inside it and the phrase "machinery in on mode," the caption read: "This year they have a new challenge. Three weeks without the league. This season they're starting very early."

Was it a coincidence that Atlético chose those exact words? Hard to believe. The reference to "three weeks without the league" and "starting very early" makes the intent clear: a reminder to Real Madrid supporters that complaints about officiating are nothing new and that, according to the red and white club, they repeat season after season.

With the red cards for Cuti Romero and Kang-in Lee at the center of the controversy, and with a final score already on the books (2-1 for Atlético), the debate moved entirely to social media. Mourinho put the photos on the table; Atlético answered with a printer and a message that left no doubt about where it stood.