Daniele De Rossi said Italy need to improve for their next clash against New Zealand yesterday as he took part of the blame for Antolin Alcaraz's goal.

Finishing needs to be better: Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi celebrates his strike against Paraguay yesterday. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

De Rossi was beaten in the air as Alcaraz got in front of him to power home a header after 38 minutes.

The Roma ace made up for his mistake in the second half as he fired Italy back on track for them to earn a point as they drew 1-1 with Paraguay.

"It was a good game the way we played. We didn't give away much. On their first goal I was distracted as it was my responsibility to mark him, and we were angry, I was angry," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"They were aggressive and we were not that great in the final third and you pay for it at this level.

"Probably we have to improve in the final third, we have to be more concrete up there as we lack the final finish.

"We all have to continue growing, it's not about individuals improving, we have to improve as a team."

De Rossi was also highly critical of some of the player selections by coach Marcello Lippi, saying that the Azzurri are lacking a creative person such as Roma teammate Francesco Totti.

Buffon doubtful for next match against New Zealand
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is a doubt for the defending champions next World Cup match after hurting his back in their 1-1 draw with Paraguay yesterday.

The 32-year-old was replaced at half-time by Federico Marchetti and coach Marcello Lippi said it was too early to tell how bad it was.

"He had an ache during the warm-up and then he said he wanted to play, but after the first half he said he couldn't continue. It's unfortunate as we lost a substitution which would have been handy for us."

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