Atletico have taken just one point from their last three league games to slip to fifth in the standings, while they were also recently dumped out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Valencia.

That run has knocked the Rojiblancos back on their heels after a confident start to the campaign, but they need to get back on track soon as the next few weeks could be key.

On Sunday, Javier Aguirre's men travel to sixth-placed Racing Santander, who could close to within one point of Atletico with a victory, before the Madrid club then go to Bolton next week in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-32 tie.

After that, Atletico face Athletic Bilbao and second-placed Barcelona in the league as well as the return leg against Bolton, with Europe now the only realistic hope of silverware this season for the Spanish giants.

It is a key time for the out-of-sorts Rojiblancos, but while results may not be going their way, Brazilian Santana insists the doom-mongers are well off the mark.

"The team is fine, there is no crisis," he said.

"We are out of the Copa del Rey and we have lost some games, but we are still near the top of the table and only one point away from our objective, which is the Champions League.

"I am sure that in a short time we will return to being among the top four positions.

"They (Racing) are playing well at home, but we will go their with morale and confident in our chances."

Santana, a summer signing from Santos, admits there is plenty of work for the team to do, though.

"All the players can improve. We must not blame any player for a defeat. The games are won and lost by all the players in the squad," he added.

"There is enormous quality in the team and at the end of the season we will be right up there in the league."