5 June 2006, by Sean Gillen

Figo 2005/06 season review

Figo rises to Italian challenge

Despite his reputation as one of the finest players of his generation, when Luis Figo left Real Madrid for Italy to join Inter in the summer of 2005, there were many who felt that the Portuguese winger still had something to prove.

After a summer of speculation, which saw the 32-year-old linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Marseille, Galatasaray and Valencia among others, the winger plumped for Serie A and Inter in August.

The move split opinions, with many in Italy feeling that Figo was past his best, and would be unable to offer the team enough to justify his high wages.

But Figo proved the doubters wrong, establishing himself as a key part of the Inter side. Looking back, Figo admits that he was not surprised by some of the reaction: “I think that it’s normal that people thought I was old, especially since I had left a team like Real Madrid. But I came here to move forward as best as I could.”

With Figo making his debut, Inter got off to a winning start with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Treviso. After a disappointing 3-2 loss at Palermo in their second game, Inter won five matches in a row, with Figo starting each one, although he had yet to hit top form.

A 2-0 loss at champions Juventus set the Nerazzuri back, and their form was patchy in October, with defeats to Porto and Roma as leaders Juventus began to leave the rest of their challengers behind in Serie A.

Goal account opened

Figo’s first two goals for the club came in the same week, in the 2-0 win against Parma in Serie A and the 4-0 win over Artmedia in the Champions League.

The goals came at the start of a strong run for club and player from the beginning of November to the start of February, which saw Inter go unbeaten for seventeen games, with thirteen victories. Figo played his part in the run, including setting up a last-minute winner against city rivals Milan, and scoring in the wins over Empoli, Palermo and Lecce.

Inter’s run came to a sudden halt in February, with two defeats in a row against some of their closest rivals. A loss at Fiorentina was followed by a controversial 2-1 defeat at leaders Juventus. Juventus’ winner came after they were awarded a dubious free-kick in the closing stages.

Figo earned a fine from the Disciplinary Commission after the match when claiming that he saw Juventus director Luciano Moggi enter the referee’s dressing room. Moggi has since resigned after telephone transcripts appear to show him influencing officials before games.

Inter maintained decent form after the setback, continuing to win games in Serie A and beating Ajax 3-2 on aggregate in the Champions League to progress to the quarter-finals. Figo then scored his sixth and final goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Lazio at the San Siro.

Despite a first-leg lead, Inter went out on away goals to Spanish side Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as tension within the squad made headlines. Brazilian striker Adriano and Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron had a public row, and the team’s form began to drop.

Inter lost three and drew two of their last eight games, and a third place finish, behind rivals Milan, was a disappointing end to a league campaign which showed much promise early on.

The season ended on a high note as Figo added to his trophy collection by helping Inter beat Roma to lift the Italian Cup, which is likely to ensure that Manager Roberto Mancini will stay on at the club. It has also been reported that 33-year-old Figo could be offered a new contract, as the veteran winger continues to flourish after a solid debut campaign in Italy.

Season Highlight

Inter 3-1 Roma - Italian Cup Final second leg - 10/05/2006

After his great contribution to Inter resulted in a disappointing end in Serie A and the Champions League, Figo deservedly ended the season with a medal as his side beat Roma over two legs (4-2) to retain their Coppa Italia crown.

                                       Season stats

* League and European appearances only; substitute appearances in brackets