Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: a dramatic 2022-23 La Liga clash at the Bernabéu

Nothing new at the Bernabéu, Atlético Madrid responded on social media after a match that left the visitors with ten men once more.

In a second-round La Liga meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid hosted Atlético de Madrid. The capital derby is always steeped in controversy, and this edition delivered a memorable moment: Ángel Correa was sent off in the second half, leaving the scoreline at 0-0.

The decision echoed throughout the post-match conversations, as Atlético voiced its frustration to the media after finishing a derby with ten players. From the club’s official Twitter account to comments from coach Diego Simeone and players like Savic and Oblak, the discontent was palpable.

Next, a look at the key flashpoints from the encounter…

Arbitration controversies in Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid during the 2022-2023 La Liga season, officiated by Gil Manzano

Valverde’s handball—set off by a rebound

Early in the first half, a ball struck Fede Valverde’s hand in the Real Madrid penalty area after a rebound. Referee Gil Manzano ruled no penalty, a decision later supported by the on-field sequence where the ball deflected off the hand following a rebound from the foot.

Correa’s red card sparks debate

Approximately 64 minutes in, the main talking point emerged: Ángel Correa received a direct red card after a clash with Antonio Rüdiger when the ball was no longer in play. The action prompted speculation about whether the VAR should have intervened, as Atlético played down a man for the remainder of the match. Simeone voiced his disagreement with the outcome.

After the final whistle, Atlético Madrid’s official social channels posted a message suggesting that the same pattern persisted at the Bernabéu: “Nothing new at the Bernabéu.”

Former referee Eduardo Iturralde commented on the incident, noting that Manzano assessed the contact as an elbow that justified the red. He added that the VAR did not intervene because the referee had already evaluated the play and deemed the contact sufficiently serious.

⚠️⚽️ @Itu_Edu on the red card to CORREA for attacking Rüdiger #RealMadridAtleti

️ “The question is the INTENSITY, Manzano believes the elbow was a red, and the VAR did not intervene because the referee judged the action as sufficiently intense.”

“THE VAR DOES NOT ENTER because the referee already judged the play, saw an elbow and found enough intensity.”

— Sports carousel (@carousel) February 25, 2023

Later, Atlético Atlético’s account revived a post showing a photo of Correa’s leg with visible injuries, accompanied by the caption about the ongoing narratives at the Bernabéu.

Simeone urged that all players compete with equal intensity, a sentiment he carried into post-match remarks.

️ Simeone, regarding Correa’s red card: “We understand, it repeats itself, it becomes normal and it would be good if everyone could compete in the same way.”

— GOAL Spain (@GoalEspana) February 25, 2023

Savic voiced frustration after the game, saying that similar situations seemed to recur and questioning why they happened again.

Griezmann reacted on social media with a simple response: “That’s it.”

Oblak, the Atlético goalkeeper, reflected on the pattern of red cards when facing Real Madrid, suggesting that it might even happen again in future derbies.

EYE ON THE RED CARD TREND BETWEEN JAN OBLAK AND REAL MADRID

“Every time we play Real Madrid, someone gets suspended. Perhaps in the next derby we will start with one player fewer.”

— GOAL Spain (@GoalEspana) February 25, 2023

Who is Gil Manzano, the referee of the Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid clash in La Liga 2022-2023?

This derby was one of the first Madrid derbies directed by Don Benito’s Gil Manzano. He has overseen two Clásicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona. His career also includes matches in the 2021 Copa América.

Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are two of the three clubs he has called most often, earning more wins than any other outcomes, though his name has appeared in several controversial decisions, including penalties against Real Madrid in a high-profile 2019-2020 match and Atlético’s expulsion of Joao Félix in a previous season against Athletic Club.

Gil Manzano’s record with Real Madrid shows 43 matches across the League, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, with 34 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses.

The history with Atlético de Madrid includes 30 meetings, 16 wins, 7 draws, and 7 losses, including Diego Simeone’s first appearance in La Rosaleda against Málaga, which ended in a goalless draw.

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Source: Goal