Atletico Madrid captain Antonio Lopez has vowed to put a difficult week behind him by winning against Real Mallorca.

Wednesday's 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea, which left Atletico with little chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League, was the last straw for the club board who sacked boss Abel Resino this morning and placed assistant Santi Denia in charge for tomorrow's game.

The midweek defeat came on the back of a terrible start to the season which has seen the Rojiblancos claim just one win in 10 matches.

Lopez has vowed he and his fellow players will do all they can to make amends.

He told www.clubatleticodemadrid.com: "We're hurting, but we only have one idea in our minds, which is to get the team out of our current situation.

"We have to beat Mallorca; only a victory is a good result."

Friday was an emotional day as Resino dropped in on the squad before training to say goodbye to the players.

"He was sad," said Lopez. "He's a home-grown guy and he asked us to keep fighting and battling to return to the team to the place where it deserves to be.

"Now Santi Denia, to whom we have to give our respect and confidence, will lead the team."

Lopez admitted the players must take their share of the blame for a poor start to the season.

He said: "We must have been doing something wrong for the results not to have come.

"It's not normal for the squad to be in the current position we are in the table with the quality we have.

"Now, Atletico Madrid have to win many matches."

Denia is expected to have just one game in charge before a new full-time boss, most likely Quique Sanchez Flores, takes over,

He said: "The players have to move this forward. They're the ones who are responsible and they're surely going to win.

"We are all somewhat to blame for what has happened when the results haven't come. We'll have to work harder and make a greater sacrifice.

"When the results don't come, it's not a good situation, but they'll arrive with work because we have a great squad, and that's something that is evident to me.

"What's clear is that results dictate in these types of situations and the club have taken this decision."

It will not be an easy assignment for Denia against a Mallorca side whose fine start to the season continued with an excellent 3-1 win at home to Getafe last weekend.

The islanders are not usually renowned for their home form, but have won all four games at Son Moix so far this term.

Away from home, Mallorca have been less impressive, though, with two defeats and a draw from three games.

Midfielder Borja Valero is taking nothing for granted, despite Atletico's horror week.

He said: "Atletico are a dangerous side - they can score three and leave you open-mouthed," he said.

Coach Gregorio Manzano should have a full-strength squad available for Saturday's match.

For Atletico, Mariano Pernia could return to action following a long spell on the sidelines after being involved in a car crash earlier this year.