I want to correct something here in regards to the Sage. The man only passed on Teachings/Ninjutsu that later became the principles of Chakra consumption in Narutoverse. He doesn't know Ninjutsus himself. Other than one sealing jutsu that was passed down through the ages, and the technique to 'create' and 'breathe life' into non-entities through Izanagi. Obito is able to use it to an extent to alter reality. If anyone here believe the sage, who was a monk would crap on Ninjas with their Ninjutsus of any period, then they are in for a rude awakening. If we consider Ninjutsus alone, then he would get the living snot beaten out of him.
How does he win relatively easily though? Izanagi. According to Obito, the Sage to create form and give life to it. Hence the reason he outclasses all Ninjas because of this feat alone. He can basically create anything and make it do his bidding. He was the one to create the nine different tailed beasts. He is also able to use the six paths that would grant him a lot of advantage. Hence these speculations should be backed with facts. The man was not a ninja, but a Monk who spread the Ninjutsu principles.
On Topic: Itachi's Tsukuyomi might create a problem, and same is with Shisui's KA, but the manga puts EMS on a completely different Tier. Not only does the eye/s amplify powers exponentially as we have seen from the jump from 3 T to MS. EMS also provides extremely smooth chakra consumption and better insight as Madara is able to see through the most complex clones. Since the climb is there in insight and in Sasuke's Amaterasu control as well, together with Susano'o, there is nothing to suggest that Genjutsu and its counter/resistance isn't amplified here as well.
Having the superior Doujutsu under his bet, Madara clearly trumps Itachi on all grounds, together with unmatched War-experience and intelligence. The latter loses to MS itself.
