Inter Milan star Andrea Ranocchia believes the club have good reason for optimism ahead of the new season, with preparations for the campaign progressing well in the United States.
Speaking to Inter Channel, the defender revealed that the club's tour of the U.S has seen the players develop tactically under the stewardship of Roberto Mancini.
Ranocchia is returning to the Inter set up after spending the second half of the 2015-16 season out on loan with fellow Serie A side Sampdoria.
The former Inter captain, however, appears ecstatic to be back amongst it with the club he joined in 2011 following a move from Genoa.
After making 116 appearances for the Nerazzurri, Ranocchia knows exactly what is required in order to maximise the benefits of a pre-season tour.
"We're working really hard on fitness and the squad is a work in progress tactically speaking," the Italian said.
"It was a good game, our fitness is improving." Read @robymancio's take on #InterRSL: https://t.co/Tbkvl4rWCa #InterSummerTour #FCIM
However, manager Mancini will be delighted that his players recognise the importance of building a solid foundation prior to developing playing styles.
"We're focusing on the physical side of things more than anything else, so it's normal that things don't quite click at the start because the workload is very high."
Inter did however, open their tour of America with a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday with a late Stevan Jovetic backheel sealing the win.
Despite the main priority of the visit to continue building fitness levels for the upcoming Serie A campaign, Ranocchia was pleased to have come away with an opening win.
"We got the win last night and that is important," he said
Ranocchia who has been capped 21 times by his national side following his debut in 2010, also praised the facilities on offer to his Inter side at their Portland base.
"Everything is amazing here. They have fantastic facilities and that means we can train well."
Nerazzurri at work in #Portland for the first of two sessions today 👉 https://t.co/K1vtz9w5o2 #FCIM pic.twitter.com/qWdWagQmK8
The club will continue their pre-season preparationstravelingto neighbouring town Eugene for a clash with Paris Saint-Germain before heading for America's east coast.
Milan will face Estudiantes in New Jersey before concluding their tour of America with a clash against Bayern Munich in North Carolina.