The world champions travel to Kaunas knowing a win is a must if they wish to defend their current second position in the standings.

The Azzurri are two points behind France and just one clear of group rivals Ukraine and Scotland after six games.

Last weekend's narrow triumph at Faroe Islands, courtesy of two goals by Filippo Inzaghi, marked the Italians' fifth victory in a row.

However, full-back Gianluca Zambrotta has warned his team-mates they will need to step up their game on Wednesday.

"If against Faroe Islands we underestimated the threat that our rivals could pose, against Lithuania we simply cannot do that," said the Barcelona player.

"It is a more challenging game than that of Saturday and we must at all costs defend our second position in our group."

Italy must prepare themselves for a battle as Lithuania cannot afford a defeat.

They are currently in fifth position in the group, with seven points taken from a possible 18.

Although Lithuania have only managed one win at home in qualifying, against Georgia earlier this month, Roberto Donadoni's men know they cannot take the game lightly and for good reason.

Lithuania held the Azzurri to a 1-1 draw the last time they met in their first qualifying game on Italian soil.

"We really want to bounce back from that result," said Zambrotta. "We have an opportunity to do that on Wednesday."

The Italians not only want to win but to convince on Wednesday following their disappointing performance against Faroes.

"We really want to prove to people that we are still the team that was seen in Germany last summer," added Zambrotta.

The good news for Donadoni is that Zambrotta and AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini are both available for selection having missed last weekend's clash through injury.

Zambrotta is set to be included in the starting XI.