Real Madrid Reportedly Blame Diego Simeone and Referees for La Liga Struggles

Real Madrid are reportedly unhappy with the start they have made to the La Liga campaign, but it's the referees and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone who are responsible for their early season struggles.

That’s according to SPORT, which wrote that Real blame poor officiating for failing to win games against Sporting Gijon and, most recently, Malaga this season, matches that were both drawn 0-0. On Saturday there was a controversial moment against Malaga, as we can see here courtesy of 101 Great Goals:

SPORT claim that Los Blancos have pointed to Barcelona’s four penalties received in six games as “aid,” with some of the decisions “doubtful.” After failing to get the better of Malaga at the weekend, Real are now one point behind their great rivals, with surprise leaders Villarreal now two points ahead.

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It’s also claimed in the piece that Real’s city rivals Atletico, who they face on Sunday, have had plenty to do with some poor decisions going their way. 

According to SPORT, Rojiblancos manager Simeone has claimed “the league is ready for Real Madrid to win,” hinting that the La Liga giants do occasionally receive the benefit of the doubt from officials. The men from the Vicente Calderon can leapfrog Real if they were to win the derby this weekend.

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Last season, a tepid display from Real Madrid allowed the home side to take all the points in an emphatic 4-0 win, handing Barcelona an advantage in the title race.

Regardless of whether they have been on the end of harsh refereeing decisions or not, Real have enough quality in their squad to offset any unfortunate calls and still get the better of Malaga. It was something manager Rafa Benitez touched upon himself in the post-match media briefing, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

There are contributing factors to Real Madrid’s profligacy. In goal for Malaga, Carlos Kameni enjoyed a sensational game, while Los Blancos became quickly frustrated in the match and took hopeful long shots instead of being patient in their build-up.

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Cristiano Ronaldo, who seems to be trying a little too hard to break the club’s all-time goalscoring record—he’s one behind Raul in the standings—was the main culprit, as Bleacher Report UK noted here:

There are few who aren’t associated with Real that will sympathise with what they reportedly feel is a Barcelona bias from the officials. Ultimately, both camps will always feel as though they are hard done by at the expense of the other.

Benitez needs to ensure this kind of mindset doesn’t fester ahead of the derby against Atletico on Sunday. If Real are wary of bad decisions going against them before the game even starts, that could impact their performance. Especially against Atletico, who are an uncompromising outfit that’ll be keen to jump on any of their great rivals’ potential frailties.