Former Juventus and AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo says Italian football needs an overhaul.

Pirlo is sorry his country is not in the World Cup this year.

"Italian football needs to regenerate, to change," Pirlo insisted, speaking to Sky Italia.

“It'll take time, but right now we need to start from scratch after the failure to qualify for the World Cup.

“It has to be a jolt to start again and become even stronger."

The former midfielder also discussed the chances of Italy's Champions League representatives.

“Juventus are certainly strong, they've shown that in recent years with two out of the last three finals.

“They have a strong team this year, and they have a good chance of getting to the end in this Champions League.

“Roma have been more surprising, they won the group when many assumed they'd go out and now it's right for them to play it as far as they can."