Nantes coach Claudio Ranieri is convinced Italian football is on its way back.

The former Roma boss is impressed by the competitiveness of this season's Serie A.

"It's regaining prestige," Ranieri insisted.

“It's not at the level where we had two clubs in the 2003 Champions League final in Manchester, but the climb has begun. We have to thank Juve for two Champions League finals in three years.

“Napoli are doing great things, they went head-to-head with Manchester City who are one of the world's richest clubs and can spend big money.

“Napoli's style of football really catches your eye, [Coach Maurizio] Sarri is great.

“Juventus are the usual, they can start slowly but then you find them up there at the top, or one step off the top.

“Their team and their culture is more accustomed to winning and that gives them a further advantage.

“As for Inter, [Luciano] Spalletti has immediately taken them in hand, you can see his hand at work.

“Lazio? I really like them. Simone Inzaghi is doing an extraordinary job, and it's even more striking because he was thrown in at short notice because [Marcelo] Bielsa's arrival collapsed at the last minute.

“Inzaghi also handles the media well and knows how to deal with the Europa League. It's a tournament which must be respected, for the prestige and the UEFA ranking.

“As for Roma, some where skeptical about Di Francesco because he'd never had this big a job before. Eusebio did great things at Sassuolo though, he was able to get the players on board. They follow him and respect him."