"Are Atlético violent? This isn't a game for girls", said Carlo Ancelotti just before the derby.

Besides the unfortunate nature of the Italian coach's comment in terms of equality, the truth is that the mere fact that the question was asked flags up a certain preoccupation with characterising Atlético more for their alleged hard edge than for their football.

The statistics support the Italian coach's sentiments, making it impossible to draw such a conclusion. Thus, after three domestic league games, there are as many as 13 teams out of the 20 in the championship that have committed more offenses than Atlético.

Deportivo have the worst record in this respect, currently having committed 24 fouls more than the 'Rojiblancos' side. Also totalling more than 50 are Getafe and Sevilla, completing a dubious podium.

Barcelona have the cleanest slate to date, at least according to the referees' decisions, with an average of just under 11 fouls per game. Atlético are currently on 13.6. Athletic, Almeria, Real Madrid, Malaga and Villarreal fall in between the two. Then come the rest, all ranking higher up the list.

The peculiar thing is that Atlético are the team to have been shown the second highest number of cards, which does not seem to relate to the number of offenses it has been responsible for.