Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has billed next month's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland as his "World Cup final".
The Azzurri beat Georgia 2-0 on Saturday to remain second in Group B, and Donadoni is only too aware of the importance of the clash in Glasgow.
Scotland's 3-1 triumph over Ukraine at the weekend kept them one point clear of Italy with two games to play.
"It's a little bit like a World Cup final," Donadoni said of the November 17 match.
"In 90 minutes we are playing for a year's work - it's our final.
"We are second, not a bad position to be in for the final sprint. Now we hope to give one last effort."
A slip-up in Glasgow would be a huge disappointment for the world champions, even though they have never won on Scottish soil - a trend Donadoni hopes to buck next month.
"Scotland is a team that transforms itself when playing at home," Donadoni continued.
"They have a lot of enthusiasm and are well-organised.
"Ukraine did make life difficult for them to impose their own play and that's what we will have to do.
"We are technically superior, but in Glasgow we will need a great Italy."
Scotland's 3-1 triumph over Ukraine at the weekend kept them one point clear of Italy with two games to play.
"It's a little bit like a World Cup final," Donadoni said of the November 17 match.
"In 90 minutes we are playing for a year's work - it's our final.
"We are second, not a bad position to be in for the final sprint. Now we hope to give one last effort."
A slip-up in Glasgow would be a huge disappointment for the world champions, even though they have never won on Scottish soil - a trend Donadoni hopes to buck next month.
"Scotland is a team that transforms itself when playing at home," Donadoni continued.
"They have a lot of enthusiasm and are well-organised.
"Ukraine did make life difficult for them to impose their own play and that's what we will have to do.
"We are technically superior, but in Glasgow we will need a great Italy."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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