The derby Real could not win
Atlético Madrid 0–0 Real Madrid. Six games, 15 points, second in LaLiga, and a blank at the Metropolitano (1)(7). The draw keeps Real two points behind the only side still perfect in the league, and it is the third time this season they have failed to win a match that turned physical instead of open.
The shape was the story. Mourinho sent out the same midfield and attack that started at the Metropolitano a year ago (30). Tchouaméni anchored, Vinícius Júnior led the line, Arda Güler started (4)(16). Diego Simeone left Julián Álvarez on the bench and made three changes of his own (2)(22). Álvarez had pushed hard to be fit. Mateu Alemany: "Julián has made an enormous effort to play the derby, the rest is irrelevant" (27).
The referee argument is the wrong one
Cristian Romero went into the book after a VAR check for a challenge on Jude Bellingham (5)(25). Diego Simeone was booked for protesting an early clash between Güler and Álex Baena (3). Real were unhappy with Ortiz Arias's appointment before a ball was kicked (35).
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Fine. It was still 0–0. Real have won two of their last eleven derbies at the Metropolitano across all competitions (14), and no refereeing complaint changes how little the attack created in a game they needed. Look at the league run instead: 4–0 against Málaga on 30 August, a 1–0 defeat at Real Betis on 4 September, 4–1 against Rayo Vallecano on 12 September, 3–2 at Elche on 15 September. Fourteen goals in the four league wins, one point from the two matches that demanded patience.
What the week actually confirmed
Konaté has settled fast, and his numbers back it up (23). Güler is producing at an elite creative rate and the fanbase is already ahead of the curve on him. Those are real gains.
Endrick is the other thread. Arsenal held August talks over a January move and Mourinho blocked it then (19)(33). The same club is circling again. Real are also back on Ajax's Abdellah Ouazane, whose 2025 move to Valdebebas collapsed (36).
What to watch
The Champions League is next, then the league resumes with Real chasing a side that has not dropped a point (1). Two things matter more than any referee debate. Whether Mourinho keeps trusting this midfield and attack after a night with no goal, and whether Endrick gets minutes before Arsenal formalise a January approach (19)(33).
