The defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the only blow Real Madrid suffered in the Madrid derby, as a new problem emerged that could leave Jose Mourinho facing a difficult situation in the coming period. While attention was focused on the result and everything that happened on the pitch, details of an injury to one of the team’s most important players added to the concern in Madrid.
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The midfielder remained on the pitch until the final whistle despite struggling, after taking a heavy blow during the match. Real Madrid then officially revealed the nature of the injury following the initial examinations, while Mourinho was furious with the referee’s decision regarding the challenge that caused the problem.
Real Madrid announced that Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde suffered severe trauma to his left ankle after a strong challenge from Atletico Madrid’s Kang-in Lee during the 2-1 defeat. The club confirmed that Valverde will undergo further tests in the coming hours to determine the full extent of the injury.
The injury came after Kang-in Lee caught Valverde’s ankle with his studs in an incident that sparked anger among Real Madrid’s players and coaching staff. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias did not show the Atletico player a card, while VAR did not intervene to ask him to review the incident.
The controversy did not end with Valverde’s injury. Mourinho also believed Real Madrid had been affected by a number of refereeing decisions during the derby. The Portuguese coach was particularly unhappy with a challenge from Cristian Romero on Jude Bellingham, which resulted in the Atletico defender receiving only a yellow card after a VAR review rather than being sent off.
Mourinho strongly criticised the referee after the match and questioned his appointment for such a major fixture, while also directing criticism at the VAR official as the refereeing controversy became one of the biggest talking points from the derby.
Despite the injury, Valverde managed to complete the match, although his mobility was visibly affected during the final stages. The timing is particularly significant because the midfielder has become a key part of Mourinho’s plans, having featured in all eight of Real Madrid’s matches across all competitions this season so far.
Valverde’s availability for Uruguay’s upcoming international fixtures is also now in doubt. Uruguay are scheduled to face Japan on September 24 and South Korea on September 28, with the midfielder’s status expected to become clearer after the additional medical tests.
The injury carries even greater significance after Real Madrid’s defeat to Atletico, which left Mourinho’s side fourth in La Liga with 15 points, six behind leaders Barcelona according to GOAL. Mourinho will now have to deal with Valverde’s situation before Real Madrid return from the international break to face Villarreal on October 10 and then travel to Italy to take on Roma in the Champions League.
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