Despite his perfect record as Italy coach, Antonio Conte insists that the Azzurri can do better.
Conte followed up wins against Norway and Azerbaijan with Monday's tight 1-0 victory in Malta to sit joint top of Group H with Croatia.
Including the friendly against Netherlands in September, Conte has won all four of his matches in charge since taking over for Cesare Prandelli following the World Cup.
The last two results, however, have provided close calls against much smaller teams.
Italy needed a Giorgio Chiellini goal in the 81st minute to break a tie with Azerbaijan last Friday, and on Monday they were reduced to 10 men against Malta thanks to Leonardo Bonucci's red card.
"The result was good. We should certainly have done more in attack, but we hit the woodwork four times," Conte told Rai Sport after the match
"We can do better and I am convinced having nine points in the table should give us confidence.
"The lads put the effort in, it was the second game in three days and some lads felt the fatigue. We won, we could've been more consistent in front of goal and complicated our lives with that Bonucci red card, even though I think it was a bad decision.
"I think the lads gave what they had tonight. These are four games in six weeks, Italy won all four, and apart from one chance we didn't run any risks at the back.
"We have to improve, but these are four straight wins that ought to build our confidence and morale. Now we await the game with Croatia."