Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Italy's third place at the Confederations Cup was 'satisfying' but has conceded that the Azzurri have to improve for next summer.

Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Italy's third place at the Confederations Cup was 'satisfying' but has conceded that the Azzurri have to improve for next summer.

Cesare Prandelli's side defeated Uruguay in the third-place play-off at the tournament, with the Juve shot-stopper pulling off three saves.

But the 35-year-old believes that his team are still on a 'different level' to Spain and eventual champions Brazil.

“There's no doubt we did well overall, so that's satisfying,” he told fifa.com.

“We showed we're a good team that's able to compete on an equal footing against anyone, which is a great quality to have.

“Another advantage is that we have a fantastic group of players, and that isn't always the case in a team, especially at international level.

“We learnt so many little things that will help us prepare better for next year. From the weather to the level our opponents are at, there were lots of interesting details to take from it.

“I honestly think it's been great to have a dress rehearsal before the World Cup because it'll give us a small advantage over everyone else.

“No, we're at a different level [to Brazil and Spain]. We're a side that's been improving steadily over the last few years.

“We hope to continue that process to be able to get to where we want to be, but for now our focus isn't on drawing comparisons with other teams, but to reach the level we want to be at for Brazil 2014.”

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