Atletico Madrid's Paulo Assuncao has urged the club's fans not to panic just yet as the Rojiblancos look to bounce back.

Abel Resino's side suffered a 3-0 humiliation at La Rosaleda on August 30 and have been left to mull over that setback for the best part of two weeks due to the international break.

The capital club have their opportunity to set the record straight tomorrow when Racing come to town, and Assuncao reckons Atletico have the quality to prevail in their first home match of the campaign.

"We had a good pre-season and we only lost one game," said the 29-year-old Brazilian, who missed the Malaga match through suspension. "We have an excellent squad with great players who play for the best national teams in the world.

"We have worked very hard and we have a great squad, so if we have a calm match then everything will be all right.

"If we're all united on Saturday, it will be much easier to accomplish our goals. The Atletico supporters have to remain calm."

Assuncao added: "Playing in front of our crowd will make us stronger. It's good to play at our home, with our crowd, which always supports us and will cheer us on once again.

"If we're relaxed and strong, then everyone will be on our side. It's always better to play at home, on our pitch. We players come out more excited in front of our fans and the atmosphere is always warmer, which pushes us on and is more positive for us. I think that we're stronger when we play at the Vicente Calderon."

Atletico have received a lot of criticism from fans since their Malaga mauling, and summer signing Juanito insists the supporters are entitled to their opinion.

"If the fans want to protest, that is their right," he said. "But on the pitch, we are all in the same boat and we need to row in the same direction."

Resino will be without Mariano Pernia, Ignacio Camacho and Raul Garcia through injury tomorrow.

Like Atletico, Racing also started their Primera Division campaign on a disappointing note last month with a heavy 4-1 loss at home to Getafe.

The Cantabrians now face an extremely difficult second match at the Vicente Calderon against a wounded Atletico.

Recent signings Henrique and Xisco could make their debuts tomorrow with coach Juan Carlos Mandia set to make changes to the team which capitulated against Getafe.

Striker Alex Geijo reckons Racing must look to clean up their image after that result.

"You can't say that losing like that, to a rival that seemed beatable, does not affect you, but now we have to put that behind us and clean the image of the club," he said.

"There is still a long way to go."