Inter new boys quick to find their feet

Prior to FC Internazionale Milano's goalless draw with FC Barcelona, coach José Mourinho conceded that the Nerazzurri were still "a work in progress". The Portuguese coach used five new signings in the starting XI on Matchday 1, and though Inter could not kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign with victory, a point against the holders at San Siro was a boost for his new-look side.

High ambitions
"Barcelona are a school of football, we want to become one," Mourinho said before his players went out to pass their first test. After selling striker Zlatan Ibrahimović to Barcelona and receiving Samuel Eto'o as part of the deal in return, the Italian champions were quick to bolster their squad with the money they received from that transfer by bringing in Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito, Thiago Motta and Lucio. By using Barcelona as a benchmark, Mourinho is setting his sights high, and Sneijder feels they took a step in the right direction last Wednesday.

'Defended well'
"It was a difficult game, but we did a great job," Sneijder told uefa.com. "There was a period when we dominated, but you also need luck to score and we didn't get it. We had some chances, but ultimately we have to be happy with a point." The Dutch international, who himself came close with a shot that flashed narrowly wide in the second half, has had the least time to adapt of all.

'Confidence'
Mourinho threw Sneijder in at the deep end against AC Milan the day after he joined from Real Madrid CF on 29 August and the 25-year-old began life in black and blue in the best possible way, with a 4-0 win over the club's greatest rivals. Not surprisingly, he is impressed with the Nerazzurri's spirit. "Barcelona have some great players and had a lot of ball possession, but we defended very well and we really played like a team," he said. "We can go very far in this competition. I have a lot of confidence, especially if we are as focused as we were against Barcelona."

Lucio pleased
While new forwards Eto'o and Milito have quickly hit their stride with two and four goals respectively in four Serie A games, Lucio gave proof of his strength against the stellar Barcelona attack. "It was a difficult match," said the 31-year-old Brazilian centre-back, who joined from FC Bayern München. "They have a lot of quality and offensive power but we defended well. We worked together and that is crucial. A point at home is also important."

'Going well'
So far so good then for Inter's new boys, except for some minor details, including a thigh injury to Motta. "Finding a house is going slowly, but no, all's good," joked Sneijder. "I've played three Serie A games and we've won them all and one in the Champions League which we drew so I'm happy with every game I've started. It's going well." Mourinho has laid the foundations, now he will look to finish the job by making Inter European champions for the first time since 1965.