Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is convinced Serie A is breaking out of its malaise.

The former Juventus and Roma coach has been impressed by the spending in Serie A this year.

He told Corriere dello Sport: “Serie A is similarly open and Italian football is really on the way up. We're becoming competitive again, because money always did make teams more competitive.

“There used to be a period when we dominated Europe and would bring two teams into the Champions League Final. The scenario changed and now it's changing again.

“You can't transform everything from one day to the next, but in Italy we still seem to think that's possible. Just look at Juventus, a great club, who cannot think to lose Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal without replacing them properly.

“Now Max Allegri must be given time to reassemble his side and make sure the new arrivals understand what he wants."