Mourinho Slams VAR After Álex Calatrava Foul in Real Madrid's 2-1 Win

Following a 2-1 victory at Espanyol where Álex Calatrava escaped an early booking, José Mourinho called for officials to better protect Vinícius Júnior.

Real Madrid secured a 2-1 LaLiga victory against Espanyol on Saturday, a match marked by an unpunished early foul on winger Vinícius Júnior. Despite the aggressive challenge in the opening minutes, Espanyol’s Álex Calatrava remained on the pitch to score his team’s lone goal before eventually receiving a yellow card for a subsequent altercation with the Brazilian international. Manager José Mourinho addressed the officiating during a Tuesday news conference at 07:09 AM ET, labeling the persistent targeting of his player as a "spiral" of aggression that referees have failed to curtail.

Officiating Failures at Espanyol

Mourinho specifically highlighted the lack of intervention from the officiating crew and technology during the weekend win. While he acknowledged that the head referee might have missed the initial kick on Vinícius, he noted that the fourth official declined to make a fundamental decision. Furthermore, the Portuguese manager stated that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) failed to perform his duties correctly in reviewing the incident. Mourinho compared the situation to "bullying," suggesting that opponents feel empowered to be aggressive when yellow cards are not issued after as many as 10 fouls.

Tactical Discipline and Player Conduct

Ahead of Madrid’s first home game of the season against Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu this Wednesday, Mourinho differentiated between physical protection and on-field temperament. He admitted that Vinícius could improve his relationship with crowds regarding "normal" insults, distinct from issues of racism. However, the manager emphasized that the responsibility for managing kicks, penalties, and the resulting frustration lies solely with the "judge" of the match. Mourinho remarked that if he were subjected to such physical treatment with his own personality, he would likely receive a red card just one minute later.

Transfer Window and Squad Status

Regarding the composition of the Real Madrid roster, Mourinho confirmed that the club has already completed six signings this summer. All six new additions featured in the 2-1 result against Espanyol. Although the manager considers the squad "closed" in his mind, he acknowledged the volatility of the open market. He noted that plans could shift if President Florentino Pérez or José Ángel Sánchez (JAS) presents an incredible offer, or if a player requests a transfer due to a lack of playing time after being benched for two consecutive fixtures.

Consistency Across Competitions

The Real Madrid coach observed that the disparate treatment of Vinícius is not limited to LaLiga, noting the same dynamic occurs in friendlies and matches played outside of Spain. He argued that a lack of early discipline allows players to test how far they can go, much like children. Mourinho reiterated his baseline belief in referees across all leagues before kickoff, despite his dissatisfaction with specific outcomes and non-calls following the conclusion of play. The team now prepares for the Wednesday home opener following these six summer reinforcements.