Benfica chief Rui Costa insists Serie A football remains strong.
No Italian club has reached the semifinals in European competition this season.
"It is not normal to reach this point of the season and find no Italian teams here," former Fiorentina and AC Milan star Rui Costa said.
"However, you have to take into account that Juve lost to Bayern Munich and Milan to Barcelona - they are two great clubs.
"Italian football is not living through a good time in Europe right now, but the game on the peninsula is still of an excellent level."