Figo warns rivals in Seria A

ROME (Reuters) -- Inter Milan midfielder Luis Figo has warned his team's rivals for the Serie A title not to count them out despite their uneven early-season form.

Inter have slipped to fourth in the division on 19 points from 10 matches, eight behind leaders Juventus, after earning just one point in their last two games.

"The championship is decided in the spring, so we've got plenty of time to make up ground and fight for the title right until the end," the former FIFA World Footballer of the Year told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday.

"OK, so we've lost three matches, but compared to this stage of last season (when Inter had 14 points) we've got more points, which means we are getting better.

"And there's still plenty of room for improvement, believe me."

On Saturday Inter face a tricky away match against Lazio in Rome. Inter need a win to keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of them, but Lazio have yet to suffer defeat at the Olympic Stadium this season.

"We know perfectly well we face a difficult match. Lazio have put together some great results at home," Figo said.

"We'll give them the respect we give all our adversaries, but we are also sure of our own capabilities."

The Portuguese international is one of the latest arrivals at Inter, having transferred from Real Madrid during the close season.

He is one of group of Real Madrid players, which includes midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Santiago Solari and defender Walter Samuel, acquired by the club in the past two seasons.

The presence of familiar faces had helped him adapt quickly to life in Italy after 10 years in Spain.

"With Solari and Samuel it is like picking up a conversation that you broke off only the evening before," he said.

"As for Cambiasso, he's a talented young player. All four of us have brought significant experience into an already solid squad and made it even stronger."