After draws with Bulgaria and Switzerland, the Azzurri need to take all three points in World Cup qualifying against Lithuania in Reggio Emilia tomorrow night (20:45 CEST). Italy are hoping to keep the Swiss at bay; the Nati are currently four points behind the Azzurri but have two games in hand and will fight four top spot in the group until the end.

It’s likely that the decider will be the match against the Swiss in Rome on 12 November but Italy can’t afford any slip-ups between then and now. In addition, we cannot underestimate Lithuania who, in spite being ranked 134th in the world, have it in them to cause a massive upset against the reigning European champions, who are unbeaten in 36. “Tomorrow’s game won’t be easy,” said head coach Roberto Mancini. “They’re a physical side and will defend really deep. It’ll be up to us to unlock their defence and manage the game as best we can.” Two months after the final at Wembley, the Azzurri have already had to face some criticism: “Three years ago, everyone – my friends included – thought we didn’t have it in us. We came together and won the Euros. We’re calm; we’re just disappointed to have dropped four points, which we didn’t deserve to drop. However, the draw helped us during the Euros and hasn’t favoured us now.”

In order to get back to winning ways, the Azzurri will need to be much more clinical in front of goal. Italy produced plenty of chances against both Bulgaria and Switzerland, but only have one goal to show for their efforts in those two matches. “Simply put, we need to win. We have three games left and we’ll go through if we win all three. I’m not worried and the lads needn’t be either; they won the Euros and just need to stay calm. Unfortunately, the ball just doesn’t go in sometimes and in Italy people always have to place blame somewhere. We just need to block that out and do certain things a little bit better. The team needs to keep doing what they’re doing; the goals will come.”  Immobile, who has been one of Europe’s most prolific strikers over recent years, has received some unwarranted criticism due to his recent dry spell: “Ciro started all the games at the Euros. He scored in two games, then you go through spells where the ball just won’t go in the net, but he is making all the right runs. I don’t see any major issues there. These things happen, but he might score eight in Qatar as we win the World Cup.”

The Azzurri are in action in Reggio Emilia where, in 1995, they recorded a round 4-0 win over Lithuania thanks to a Gianfranco Zola hattrick and a goal from Alessandro Del Piero. This being Italy’s third match in seven days, it’s inevitable that there will be some rotation to the starting eleven; players aren’t yet at full fitness considering we are only two matchdays into the Serie A season. To those that said he should start a false nine, Mancini said: “We have all of the options; we just need to evaluate the players’ fitness levels. We’re at the start of the season and we’ve just had the Euros, so we need fresh players.” Among the names touted are Sensi, Bernardeschi and Pessina: “They’re fit and could play but I don’t even know the line-up yet; we’ll need to wait until tomorrow.”

Lorenzo Insigne is preaching calm too and is optimistic for the future. On the Lithuania game: “Against Bulgaria and Switzerland, we created a lot of chances and just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal, but we just need to stay calm. We can’t get down about it; it’s disappointing not to have won but we don’t need any inquests. We’ll score tomorrow for sure and will put in a better performance. We know that our strength is in the group and that we’re working towards some big things.”

Italy trained after the press conference; Ciro Immobile didn’t take part due to muscle strain, nor did Nicolò Zaniolo, who injured his left thigh in the game against Switzerland.

Schedule (all times CEST)

Tuesday 7 September
16:45 – ITALY press conference at the 'Città del Tricolore' stadium
17:15 – ITALY training at the 'Città del Tricolore' stadium (open to the press the first 15')
18:15 – Lithuania press conference at 'Città del Tricolore' stadium
18:45 - Lithuania training at 'Città del Tricolore' stadium (open to the press the first 15')

Wednesday 8 September

20:45 – ITALY vs. Lithuania (Città del Tricolore Stadium). At the end of the match, press conference, disbandment of the delegation and return of players and staff to their respective headquarters

INFO: How to access the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre (CTF) and the stadiums

Media access is not allowed to the training sessions at Coverciano. The images of the first 15 minutes will be produced and distributed by the FIGC (with technical costs borne by the applicant, info: m.reale@figc.it) live to the holder of the audio-visual rights and at the end of the session to the other applicants. Access to press conferences is limited to a small number of journalists (no cameramen or photographers are allowed), with compulsory spacing and masks; accredited participants will also be provided with a link to watch the conferences remotely (Zoom). The images will in any case be produced and distributed live to the holder of the audiovisual rights and at the end of the event to the other applicants (with technical costs borne by the applicant, info: m.reale@figc.it). A selection of training and press conference photos will be made available to the media with a link on the figc.it website. Access to the CTF of Coverciano, as well as to the stadiums of Florence and Reggio Emilia, is allowed only with a green pass or an antigenic swab within the last 48 hours.