[Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid will be shown LIVE on BeinSPORT at 2:00pm EST on Saturday]

There aren’t many things more exciting in soccer than a “derby” match. Every league in every country boasts a matchup of local or regional teams that just bring out the hate in opposing fans: Manchester United-Liverpool, AC Milan-Internazionale, Rangers-Celtic, Fenerbache-Galatasary and River Plate-Boca Juniors are a few that come to mind.

In La Liga – and perhaps the world – the biggest derby would undoubtedly be “El Clasico” featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona; the Spanish league’s two wealthiest and most successful clubs.

But since Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid broke the La Liga giants’ stranglehold on Spanish football, the Madrid derby has picked up renewed interest inside and outside of Spain.

Prior to last season’s 1-0 win, Atletico Madrid had not won a league derby since 1999. That victory came on-the-heels of the Atleti’s Copa del Rey final victory over Real in the club’s own backyard.

Real Madrid hold a distinct advantage over their local rivals in regards to European and domestic silverware. But Atletico are the reigning champions of Spain and are only a few weeks removed from their Spanish Supercopa victory over Los Blancos.

During the second leg of the competition, the intensity of the contest got the best of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as he was sent to the stands for his behavior towards the match officials. The Argentinian boss was later given an eight-match ban for failing to leave the stadium, “slapping” the back of the fourth officials head and sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision to send him off.

What some outsiders to Spanish football believed was a benign pre-season cup competition, showed the level of the opposing clubs’ desire to beat one another as heavy tackles and yellow cards were prevalent over the two legs of the Supercopa.

Those matches were preceded by the Champions League final in Lisbon which saw Real Madrid defeat their local rivals 4-1 in extra time; thus winning the club’s tenth European title.

That match also saw Atletico’s manager sent off for running onto the field during the closing seconds to remonstrate with Real Madrid defender Raphael Verane. Simeone would later accuse the player of kicking the ball in his direction in a disrespectful manner. Atletico players also received five yellow cards during the final of the European cup competition.

In some Spanish circles, Real Madrid is seen as the “establishment” club; the team of the government. While Atletico are characterized as having a “sense of rebellion” and their supporters are more from a “working class” background.

Simeone’s footballing philosophy has taken advantage of the “working class” mindset held by those in support of his club. Los Colchoneros play with a cohesion and collective aggression that is unmatched in all of football.

When asked if Atletico Madrid were a “violent team” at his pre-match press conference, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti responded: “No, they’re not a violent side; they are intense and aggressive but not violent. Football is a man’s game, it’s not a game for wimps.”

The Los Blancos boss went on to say: “We won’t be changing our idea about how we will confront this match; we have to play well, with intensity as we have always done.”

Ancelotti also informed the media that Cristiano Ronaldo is “100% fit” and is ready for the derby encounter.

Real will be looking to avenge their Supercopa loss to their local rivals, as well as bounce back from their last La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad which saw Los Blancos build an early two goal lead, before falling to a 4-2 defeat in Basque country.

Ancelotti’s early season task has been to incorporate Real’s summer signings, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, into his already star-studded first team; while coping with the departures of fan-favorites Angel Di Maria and Diego Lopez.

While Diego Simeone’s side has had to cope with the loss of their leading goal scorer Diego Costa, as well as standout goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Filipe Luis.

Simeone has brought in Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich (who scored against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Supercopa), France international Antoine Griezmann, Guilherme Siqueira, Raul Jimenez and Alessio Cerci (to name a few).

Both set of new players were introduced to the intensity of the Madrid derby a few weeks ago during the Supercopa. The league matchup will only magnify the ferocity of the local encounter.

Los Rojiblancos defender Juanfran gave his thoughts on Saturday’s match at Santiago Bernabeu: “The Real fans now look at us differently. They have an incredible team and while some leave others come in. Their president says that they sign the best and that is possible for very few. They cannot complain about the team that they have.”

“We are a very strong team and we will use our strengths and make the most of them. We will not change our way of playing.”

Atletico Madrid academy product Koke added his thoughts on participating in the Madrid derby: “For me as a player, derby day is something special which really gets me fired up; I always used to play derbies with my friends when I was younger – it was always Atleti versus Madrid. I feel very proud now that I can experience it as a player, and representing Atletico. I’m honored to be able to defend the red and white shirt on derby day.”