The coach sees nothing wrong with the intensity which the Rojiblancos show in matches and confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to play in the Madrid derby
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has rejected suggestions that Atletico Madrid are a violent team and insisted "football is not a GAME
for girls".
for girls".
The Madrid derbies have become even feistier than usual over the past two years as Diego Simeone's men have gone from Europa League spot contenders to Champions League finalists and La Liga winners.
Criticism has been levelled at the combative style of play which teams can expect when they face Atletico, but Ancelotti has defended Real's rivals' right to fight for every ball.
"Atletico are not a violent team - they are intense and aggressive," the Italian said at a press conference ahead of Saturday's clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Football is a sport for men, it is not a game for girls."
However, Ancelotti disagreed with Simeone's claim that Atletico are a team of the people in Spain, rather than the footballing goliaths of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"I think football is for the people, not just a team," he continued. "All teams have fans all over the world. It's a sport for the people."
Ancelotti also revealed that star forward Cristiano Ronaldo is in perfect shape for the Madrid derby, after two weeks of rest during the international break.
The Ballon d'Or holder played no part in Real Madrid's last game a fortnight ago - which the European champions lost 4-2 at Real Sociedad - but the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss says his fitness woes are over for now.
"Cristiano is in perfect physical condition, he has no problems," he added.
"He has been training very well. He does not have a chronic injury - last season it was a different injury which was the problem, so it's nothing chronic."
The Madrid derby kicks off at 20:00CET on Saturday.
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