Marco Verratti admits he has big shoes to fill on Saturday when he replaces Andrea Pirlo in Italy's midfield and plays against Bulgaria.
The Azzurri will be without their vastly experienced 35-year-old, as well as Roma's combative midfielder Daniele De Rossi, as both players recover their fitness.
Italy coach Antonio Conte has therefore turned to Verratti, 22, someone who has shone on the Champions League stage for Paris Saint-Germain.
The PSG player has a chance to prove he can be a permanent replacement for Pirlo once the Juventus player retires from the national team.
"I know I am not the best in the national team," Verratti told the Italian press. "Ahead of me there are great champions that have won everything.
"When Pirlo and De Rossi are here, it's normal that they play. I will always try to be available for the national team but I need to earn my place.
"A young player always has to give more because it's normal that a coach points on experience rather than youth.
"I will not consider it a tragedy if I don't play once Pirlo returns."
Pirlo has collected 113 caps and postponed his international retirement last summer following Italy's first-round elimination from the World Cup in Brazil to help Italy qualify for Euro 2016.
"Pirlo is a very difficult player to replace," Verratti said. "If one day I have to take his [Pirlo's] place, I will try to do my best.
"For a coach, it's great to have strong players. Competition helps win titles."
Verratti, who was a member of Italy's World Cup squad last summer, insists the Azzurri's strength is the team and not individual talent.
"Unless you are [Leo] Messi or [Diego] Maradona, the national team cannot belong to one person," Verratti said. "I will try to give my best if given the opportunity.
"I know what the coach wants from me and I will try to do the best I can with the tasks he gives me."
Italy take on Bulgaria in Sofia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday and play a friendly against England in Turin three days later.
Conte's side are behind Croatia on goal difference at the top of Group H, with both teams having won three matches and drawn one.
"This is a very important game for me and for the team," Verratti said. "I will try to give my best.
"To be in the national team gives you so much confidence We are only thinking about Bulgaria because it's an important game in view of qualification.
"It's never easy to play there. But we need to go there aware that we have a good side. We want to get an important result in Sofia."