Giuseppe Marotta has blamed "economic factors" for the supposed gulf in class between Juventus and Bayern Munich.
The Bianconeri lost 4-0 over two legs against the Bavarian outfit to bow out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
The 56-year-old director general admitted that his team were second best, but said that the Old Lady will now look to follow the example set by their Bundesliga counterparts.
"There was definitely a gap, that was clear, but the German clubs are at a more advanced stage in the rebuilding process," Football Italia quotes Marotta as saying. "We are following their example.
"The economic factor also decides the transfer strategy. Today we have clubs like Bayern who double the revenue of Italian sides like Milan, Inter or Juventus. Of course they can buy just one player for €40m (£34m), whereas Italian clubs have to band together with three or four to raise that sum.
"Juventus are starting on that road with a new stadium, but the other Serie A clubs still have that handicap."
Juve are closing in on a second successive Scudetto.
