Italy's coaching chief Renzo Ulivieri says he isn't surprised by the impact of Thiago Motta at Bologna.

Indeed, Ulivieri rates Motta in the same class as Luciano Spalletti and Max Allegri.

He told TMW, "No (I'm not surprised), because I knew him and I was sure he was doing well.

"While he was gaining experience at Genoa, he had the wrong experience, he realised it and he's matured a lot.

"Today he's a real coach, to be pitted against coaches with great experience like Spalletti, (Maurizio) Sarri and Allegri."

On Spalletti's success with Napoli, Ulivieri added: "He stays close to me, it's easy to cheer for him."