Portuguese winger Luis Figo is pulling at the leash in anticipation for the start of the season.

The appointment of Jose Mourinho -or cynics would say rather the departure of Roberto Mancini- appears to have a galvanzing effect on the Inter squad, and Figo certainly seems to be up for it again.

"My goal is to do better and better, and this is why I'm happy to stay at this club and give my contribution and do better than last season," the 35-year-old told Inter Channel.

"I knew him at Barcelona and Sporting (Lisbon), but it's the first time that Mourinho is my head coach.

"It's always a pleasure to work with a prestigious coach, I hope to contribute to doing well with the team.

"Inter have many fans in the world and now they will have more in Portugal too.

"I hope to have a better season than the last one, I want to give the club and the fans what I couldn't give them last season due to physical problems.

"I hope to be a protagonist. Inter have a very strong team, we always want to finish first."

Nerazzurri skipper Javier Zanetti also seemed to have an extra spring in his step when he showed up for the first training session under the 'Special One' this morning.

"We have new incentives and renewed enthusiasm," the Argentine told Inter's official website.

"We can't wait to start and we hope everything goes well. We have to make our best preparations."

"I'm expecting a hard and difficult season with lots of important matches.

"The club is doing everything to strengthen the team so it can stay at the top," he added, referencing their run of three successive Scudettos.

"As always, the championship will be difficult, but the squad can win every competition."
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