On the one hand the statistics, and on the other the three points that would lock Italy's path in the path that leads to the World Cup in Qatar.
Tonight, against Lithuania, the Azzurri take the field for the third day of the European qualifiers and Roberto Mancini does not hide that closing with a victory would be a great thing, and not only because it would mean the 25 / o consecutive useful result, like the primacy of the world coach Marcello Lippi.
"It is a source of pride to be close to him and at 30 in Pozzo - the words of Mancini - And a sign that we are doing well and that we must do even better".
"Closing to nine points - is the Italian coach's idea - would be excellent: we had three games in a few days, with many trips.
The pitfall is the field.
Unfortunately some players had physical problems before, and with so many games we preferred not to risk ": yesterday, the last of a series, Verratti and Florenzi left the group. The coach is well aware of the pitfalls hidden in the match in Vilnius: to worry the group the conditions of the synthetic field, tested tonight for the first time in training. "The pitfalls are those of the pitch, because we are not used to this pitch but we have two days to do it, but also a Lithuania that will be very closed and not it will grant us many spaces.
They are a very physical team who defend well and play at home.
Switzerland has had many opportunities - the coach said - but they only won 1-0 and this confirms that the matches are all difficult, especially when it comes to the third. "Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi could make his blue debut.
"There is this possibility - explains the coach - he was with us for a week and we got to know each other better".
The coach is not unbalanced on the formation that he will take to the field in Vilnius, but he gives some indications: "The idea of Bernardeschi false nine is always current. We are evaluating the conditions of Immobile and Belotti, we will decide tomorrow morning. Insigne? He played two games. whole, very tiring, we will evaluate whether to use it ".
Federico Chiesa could also be part of the match: "he could play. I'm not so negative about his performances - Mancini said -. He's fine and arouses a lot of fear in his opponents. He's a very important player for us".
After the parenthesis of the world qualifiers, the European Championship will once again be the protagonist and Mancini hopes for a tournament with the fans at the Olimpico.
"So many negative statements, sometimes it is hard to hear them: a little optimism would be needed, I hope the situation will be resolved even before June" .. The joy for the first goal for the Azzurri (against Bulgaria) has been dispelled, Manuel Locatelli looks to tomorrow night's match: "It won't be an easy match. We meet a strong team, we know what we have to do, we have to take the field to win," he says.
"Being part of the national team is a source of pride - the words of the Sassuolo player - the competition is high but it is beautiful, they are all good guys and I will always give my best to be ready".
Locatelli then talks about his path, from the farewell to Milan to the arrival in the national team.
"Many things have happened, from a great disappointment there has been a rebirth - he says - I want to improve more and more but I don't want to stop. I intend to enjoy this moment and think game after game because you have to keep your feet on the ground".