Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini tried to look on the bright side of Sunday's goalless draw with AEK Athens, saying he was satisfied that at least they did not concede.
The Nerazzurri have looked out of sorts during preseason and, although the results do not count for anything at this stage, the fans are beginning to show some concern.
There were whistles during the second half of Sunday's draw in Ancona, a result which comes after defeats to Bayern Munich. AC Milan (twice), Real Madrid, Galatasaray and Sassuolo in the build-up to the new season.
Mancini's men have managed to win only three of their 10 outings in preseason -- against Stuttgarter Kickers, Carpi and Athletic Bilbao.
However, the coach insists it is all about getting it right before Serie A begins next weekend.
"You can't expect a lot to change in three days," he said on his club's website. "We played a bit better in the second half than we did in the first. We haven't conceded and this is important. We had our chances too.
"We just need a bit more pace, but I think we also need a bit of time. We're trying to build a side which can challenge for the league title."
Wolfsburg's Ivan Perisic has been reported to be that man, but time is of the essence if Inter are to get it right for when it matters -- on Sunday night, when they host Atalanta at the San Siro.
Mancini also voiced his frustration at UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, saying they are the reason he has had to sell some of his best talent this summer.
Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri left the San Siro last week to join Stoke for a club-record £12 million fee for the Premier League side.
He is set to be followed out of the door by fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is on the verge of joining Real Madrid for a reported £25m.
Mancini admits he did not want either player to leave but felt he had no choice because of the Financial Fair Play rules introduced by UEFA in a bid to stop clubs from overspending.
He said: "There are rules that have to be respected. I don't think anyone wanted this to happen but we have the Financial Fair Play regulations to follow.
"We're all sorry about it: myself, the president, the management and the players themselves. [Kovacic] and Shaqiri both left for the same reason."
With the start of the Serie A season less than a week away, Mancini is now desperate to find some reinforcements before Inter kick off their campaign at home to Atalanta on Sunday.
"Now we'll try to bring in the sort of players we need and hopefully we'll be able to do it quickly because the league starts this week," he said.
"We'll see what we can do in the transfer market."
Information from Press Association was used in this report.