Autumn victories over Ukraine and Georgia put Italy's Euro 2008 qualification campaign back on track but Wednesday's clash with Scotland in Bari remains a highly charged must-win match for the Azzurri.
Pressure is mounting on the players, who have so far struggled to live up to their reputations as world champions, and on coach Roberto Donadoni, who has not yet instilled a distinctive identity into his national team.
Failure to beat the Scots would dent the Azzurri's prospects of reaching the tournament finals in Austria and Switzerland.
But perhaps more importantly, it would also shake confidence in Donadoni's ability to lead them there.
Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) Chief Luca Pancalli had to publicly state that he had "total confidence" in Donadoni this week to head off rumours the former AC Milan and Azzurri winger could be sacked if Italy do not win Wednesday.
But Pancalli's term as FIGC chief is due to end on April 2, when elections will be held vote for a new president.
The new chief may not be so enthusiastic about Donadoni, especially if Scotland get something out of the Bari clash.
Italy have seven points from four games, putting them third in Group B behind Scotland and France, who both have nine.
The two leaders have the chance to stretch their lead this weekend and up the pressure on Azzurri even more. Scotland entertain Georgia on Saturday, while France pay a visit to Lithuania.
Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi admitted that the Scotland match is "decisive".
But he also stressed that it is "decisive for Italy, not the coach, we are all in the same boat".
The Italian sports media have been tipping AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti as a possible replacement.
Ancelotti fuelled this speculation in an interview published in Thursday's edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, in which he said he would like to train the Azzurri.
He took pains to stress that this would be only after Donadoni's term in charge is over.
But this could be sooner rather than later if the Euro 2008 qualification campaign runs into trouble again.
"Donadoni has to beat Scotland to dispel Ancelotti's shadow," read a headline in Italy's top newspaper, Corriere della Sera.
Italy drew 1-1 at home to Lithuania and lost 3-1 to France in their first two qualification games.
They recovered with 2-0 and 1-3 wins over Ukraine and Georgia respectively.
