Figo ready and raring to go after recovery from injury

Mourinho’s Inter prepare to face in-form Tiago and Juventus

Portuguese veteran Luis Figo has been given the all clear to make his comeback for Italian champions Inter against Juventus at the weekend, after a frustrating spell on the sidelines which he admits led him to consider retirement.

Figo has been out of action since September when he suffered a fracture of the third metatarsal in his foot. But having now completed a long rehabilitation, the 36-year-old is fully fit and available to take part in the ‘Derby d’Italia’ on Saturday.

“Starting over is really hard, because you have to work even more and train in spite of the pain,” revealed the 127-time Portugal international. “Did I consider retirement? Yes, but I soon got that out of my head.”

The match against Juventus at the San Siro sees the Nerazurri entertain a Juventus side currently on a seven-match winning run. Earlier this week, Inter boss Jose Mourinho claimed he was happy to face Claudio Ranieri’s men in such form, and Figo agrees with his compatriot that it is better to face Juve at this moment.

“We just have to focus on our own game,” he said. “I’m not being politically correct – we are the better team and we must always win at home. I think Jose Mourinho is right to say it is best to play Juventus on a seven-match winning streak. I’m not saying they will be relaxed, but they would certainly have been more fired up if they were in a crisis.”

Turnaround

Meanwhile, Saturday’s clash should see Mourinho come up against one of his former players in the shape of Tiago Mendes, who has enjoyed a huge turnaround in his status with the Bianconeri over the last six weeks.

Branded one of the flops of the campaign after a disastrous first season in Italy, Tiago has recently found himself back in favour under Ranieri, and his change in fortunes appears to have been confirmed after reports in Italy suggested that the Portuguese midfielder has now been removed from the transfer list.

According to Turin-based paper Tuttosport, Juventus director Alessio Secco and coach Ranieri have agreed to halt encouraging offers for the player they spent much of the last year trying to sell. Clubs such as Monaco of France were believed to be pondering a winter move for Tiago, but given his current form, Juventus are now thought to have delayed any decision on the player’s future until next summer.