Juventus coach Max Allegri has hit out at the local media for running down Italian clubs in Europe.

After AC Milan went out of Europe entirely, Allegri says the media's response has been over the top.

Ahead of Juve's Champions League win against Malmo, Allegri said: “Up until the other night, people said Italian teams were level with all the others, then last night Milan lost to Liverpool. Right now, the English clubs, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG are stronger than the others.

“Milan had a tough Champions League, Atalanta are in the running and we hope they can reach the Round of 16. Inter are already there, so are we, I consider it positive.

“The problem is that in Italy we leap from considering our teams a total disaster or being revived from death. We are neither one, nor the other, it's just a growth process and at this moment there are teams a step above. We just have to acknowledge that."