Rome wasn't built in a day and World Cup qualification campaigns aren't nailed in one window, but Lazio midfielder Megan Connolly is confident the Republic of Ireland's wins against Poland in April have set them up for a serious crack at the group's two big guns this week.
The Girls in Green take on the Netherlands at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night, then wrap things up with a trip to France the following Tuesday.
If Carla Ward's side win both games, they will top the group and head straight to next summer's tournament in Brazil.
With a play-off spot guaranteed, this is major bonus territory for Ireland.
They were narrowly beaten by the French and Dutch in their opening two matches, but Connolly insists there's belief among the squad they can do something special this week.
"The Poland games were great," said the 29-year-old. "I think just because we won the two games it's kind of easy to think, 'oh, maybe they were easy games'. They were really difficult. Poland were really tough to play and, obviously, the Dutch game will be even harder.
"There's little things that we can tweak. We have to keep the energy. We have to keep the intensity because the Dutch game is going to be really, really difficult. Same with the France game. The intensity is the biggest thing.
"The ultimate goal is, can we qualify directly? And that is obviously what we all want.
"We're in a good position at the minute. But the focus is just on Friday and everything else will come after. We just focus on the results and the table will sort itself out."
Connolly grew up in the Turner's Cross area of Cork and is savouring a return to her home city.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been a happy hunting ground for Ireland; they've beaten France and Slovenia on their last two visits to the home of Cork GAA.
The pitch will likely be narrowed and, Connolly hopes, the towering main stands full of fans.
"The last times we've been here, the crowd have been class," she said. "And we'll need that because it's a really tough game. Hopefully we get a good and experiences here."
Another daughter of Cork, Denise O'Sullivan, is suspended for the Netherlands showdown which heightens Connolly's importance. An underrated cog in this Irish side, Connolly offers precious protection to the back line, her defensive instincts further sharpened by an ongoing spell in Italy.
Lazio finished fifth in the 12-team division this season, 22 points off bitter rivals Roma, who won the title. It's progress for a team who only got promoted back to the top flight two years ago.
"We were pushing until the end for the Champions League spot," reflected Connolly. "Juventus were dropping points and there was a lot of people in or around the same kind of points and the last game of the season determined whether we were fourth or fifth. I think it was a strong improvement.
"It's only our second year up in Serie A so, for the club, I think it's a good step forward."
The Inchicore trailblazer Anne O'Brien signed for Lazio in the mid-1970s and would regularly go to Roma men's games, standing among the smoke and flares with the club's ultras.
Connolly wouldn't dare do likewise - "I'm not going to be a Roma supporter!" - but she has taken her place on the Curva Nord with the hardcore Lazio supporters at the Stadio Olimpico.
Life is good in the Eternal City.
"It’s not a bad place to live, living in Rome!" laughed Connolly.
"I don’t think you can complain much and on the pitch I’m playing week in, week out, playing good football.
"The training is always good, the intensity, and it’s helped me bring that into the Ireland team and that’s something I always reflect on - am I improving and able to bring that into the Irish team? I think I’ve kept my levels and am hopefully pushing on a bit. I’m still young in football terms so hopefully I’ve a lot more years to come."
Shorn of O'Sullivan's talents, Ireland will have a little less Corkness in the Páirc. But Connolly has challenged others to step up to the plate and help keep the Girls in Green's improbable World Cup dream alive.
"I was so sad after the Poland game when I realised that Denise wouldn't be here... but Denise is a professional. She hasn't changed her attitude within the squad or how she conducts herself in here, even though she's probably gutted deep down.
"As I've said in the past, when we've lost Denise to injury and stuff, she's one of the best players in the history of Ireland. So, we know how good she is. We know what she brings to the team. But... it's time for someone else to step up and step in there and do their role.
"We know what's on the line. We know the stakes of the game. Everyone's ready to do their part."
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