As far as the England skipper is concerned it is a double mission that could put him in the record books as well as avenging a defeat that still haunts him and the country.
It's nine months since the Italians started the demolition of England's World Cup hopes in Brazil. Rooney has been dreaming of revenge ever since.
And talking about dreams, Tuesday's match will also give the Manchester United man a 'goalden' opportunity to equal - or even pass - the England scoring record held by Old Trafford's other living legend, Sir Bobby Charlton.
As it stands, Rooney has scored 47 goals for his country, two fewer than Sir Bobby. If he passes his hero's total on Tuesday night then he and England will have gone some way to completing that revenge business.
It's a tall order, of course, but one that will be in Rooney's thoughts for the next 48 hours at least.
He says: "It's a big test for us. It was a disappointing result against Italy in the World Cup, but this time we can show how far we've come as a team. We knew in Brazil we had a young squad, but we really feel we are getting better.
"We've got so much pace, ability and fitness in the team and I think sides will be a bit wary of us now."
To show how far they've come since Brazil and for Rooney to become the country's leading goalscorer as well? That is some dream.
GETTY
Wayne Rooney wants England to exact revenge for Brazil World Cup defeat
I feel I have a few years left playing for England so I'd be disappointed if I didn't get three goals in those years
Wayne Rooney
"There's no getting away from it," he said. "It's there and it could be on Tuesday or in the summer or after (when he gets past it). I hope so.
"I feel I have a few years left playing for England so I'd be disappointed if I didn't get three goals in those years.
"Like getting my 100th cap it would be great to achieve the record then push on even further.
"Many players have played for England and tried to reach that record so I'm in a great position at the minute where I can do it. But the main aim is to keep progressing with the team and I hope my goals can do that."
Then Rooney revealed how he had challenged that other man of the moment, Harry Kane, when the Spurs striker replaced him in the second half against Lithuania.
"I said to him when I went off 'go and get yourself a goal' but didn't think he'd get it with a couple of touches. It's great for us as a nation to have that excitement around the team and hopefully when he comes in he'll score goals."
In the meantime, Friday's man of the match against Lithuania, Danny Welbeck, reiterated Rooney's thoughts on Italy.
He said: "We've improved 100 per cent since the World Cup. Do we want revenge against Italy? You could say that!"
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