Legendary Italian football manager Claudio Ranieri has shared his belief that the title race being as open as it has been this season is a good thing for the Italian game.

There is currently a three way race for the Scudetto with Inter, Juventus and Lazio all involved. Inter are sitting at the top of the table with 54 points to their name, Juventus are in second level on points with their Nerazzurri rivals but have an inferior goal difference whilst Lazio are in third place on 53 points.

“Don’t ask me for a prediction, but seeing a more open fight than in the past is positive. It was logical that after so many years of supremacy the others would fill the gap with Juventus. Soon, with the resumption of the European cups, we will enter the main phase of the league,” he told Corriere dello Sport in an interview which appeared in today’s print edition.

Ranieri, who is currently in charge of Sampdoria, spoke on the struggles Juventus have faced under the stewardship of Maurizio Sarri, who succeeded Max Allegri as their manager in the Summer.

“I am not surprised because it takes time for methods to be properly memorised and if you have great champions who want to do their own things, it is even more complicated. It is right to give a manager the time to find the ideal balance. Sarri is good.”

Next Ranieri spoke on Inter manager Antonio Conte, who has been pivotal in Inter being where they currently are.

“I was sure he would have done well because I know Antonio. I knew that, if he could not win the Scudetto, his Inter would at least be in a continuous struggle for it. He will leave no stone unturned to win.”

He then shared a brief thought on this past weekend’s Derby della Madonnina between Inter and AC Milan.

“At the interval I said to myself that the game wasn’t over. AC Milan had done almost too well and Inter were not Inter. Brozovic’s goal changed everything.”

He also spoke on Inter striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been in fine form since his arrival from Manchester United.

“Lukaku is a strong player. You can see that he is well, that he plays for the manager and that he is in harmony with his teammates and the environment.”