Profe Ortega on the derby controversy: “It has to happen to us at some point”

“It has to happen to us at some point”: Profe Ortega did not shy away from the derby controversy. After more than 12 years at Atlético de Madrid, he now works as a fitness coach in Venezuela. In an interview with Cope, he said the role had changed the way he sees football.

“With this experience with a national team, which I wanted after my time in Uruguay, I’m in Venezuela and learning,” he said. Ortega described himself as gaining knowledge and adapting to a different routine from club work, with more contact with players and clubs. The aim, he explained, is to know each player’s condition.

Asked after the break whether players are better off resting or competing with their national teams, he backed playing: “I’m in favour of the national team: competing will always give me more experience and competitiveness. I can maintain my fitness better.” He still follows Atlético de Madrid and said he had watched only part of the most recent derby against Real Madrid, which Atlético won 2-1 at the Metropolitano. “The part I watched, Atlético looked very good.”

On the disputed incident, he said it had looked forceful to him, and even more so on the replay, before referring to a handball by Casemiro. He also recalled the Champions League final in Milan, when Atlético began by conceding an offside goal: “We experienced a Champions League final with an offside goal by Sergio Ramos. VAR would have changed the result of many derbies.”