The stage is set, the lights are ready at the Santiago Bernabéu, and the highly anticipated El Derbi Madrileño is upon us this Sunday evening. But ahead of the clash against our cross-town rivals Atlético Madrid, the Spanish Football Federation has made a refereeing appointment that has certainly caught the attention of every Madridista.
José Luis Munuera Montero has been named the main referee for the derby, with Daniel Jesus Trujillo taking charge of the VAR room.
Given the massive competitive importance of this La Liga fixture, the man with the whistle is always under the microscope—and Munuera Montero is a name that carries some recent baggage for Los Blancos.
The Osasuna Controversy
If the name rings a frustrating bell, you aren’t alone. Munuera Montero faced intense and entirely justified criticism from Real Madrid and the fanbase last season following our 1-1 draw against Osasuna.
In a game where Los Blancos were denied clear penalty shouts, the referee’s performance left much to be desired. The fallout was intense, leading to widespread controversy on social media. True to form, Atlético Madrid couldn’t resist involving themselves in our business, releasing an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) condemning the “attacks” on the referee. It added unnecessary fuel to the fire, making his appointment for this specific match all the more dramatic.
The Stats: A Reason to Relax?
While the Osasuna incident left a sour taste in our mouths, a deeper dive into the history books shows that Munuera Montero’s record with Real Madrid is actually incredibly strong.
Here are the numbers you need to know:
- Total La Liga Matches Officiated for RM: 16
- Real Madrid Wins: 14
- Draws: 1
- Losses: 1
He also has derby experience. He officiated the Madrid Derby during the 2022/2023 season, which ended in a vital 2-1 victory for Real Madrid. This season, he has taken charge of one Real Madrid match—our solid 1-0 victory over Getafe.
Meanwhile, across town, his record with Diego Simeone’s men is a bit more mixed. He has officiated 21 La Liga matches for Atlético Madrid, resulting in 13 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses. (He did, however, oversee their 2-0 win against Villarreal earlier this current season).
The Verdict
History tells us that while Munuera Montero has been at the center of controversy, our boys usually get the job done when he is on the pitch. In a derby, form and outside noise go out the window. Carlo Ancelotti’s men just need to focus on playing our game, feeding off the energy of the Bernabéu, and ensuring the referee’s decisions are merely a footnote to a dominant Real Madrid victory.
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