Anothernew feature to this blog (due to a suggestion from an interested reader) is collection of articles from World Soccer Magazine from 1960s onwards from excellent writers Eric Batty, Brian Glanville plus others.
Eric Batty and Brian Glanville will be permanent fixtures, however, other articles from Leslie Vernon, Keir Radnedge, Eric Weil , etc. will also be included.
Each Eric Batty section will include his famous yearly World XI section that was ever present until 1992, prior to his passing in 1994.
I.Eric Batty
WS Magazine Issue: September 1962
Article Title(s): ‘World’s Number 2 Country?’ and ‘Question: Quo Vadis
Soccer?’
-Two articles from the same issue one dealing with
Czechoslovakia National team who had just finished runners-up in
that year’s World Cup and another one discussing problems facing soccer
Article Title(s): ‘Worst World Cup!’and ‘World Cup Reflections’
-Two articles in the same issue dealing with analysis of the 1978 World Cup, the second article in from his regulr ‘The Brian Glanville’ Column in the magazine.
WS Magazine Issue: August 1979
Article Title(s): ‘Where do England stand?’ plus ‘The Brian Glanville Column’
-The state of the English national team and his regular column
WS Magazine Issue: May 1979
Article Title(s): ‘Greaves Confesses’plus ‘The Brian Glanville Column’
-An analysis of Jimmy Greaves’ autobiography and his regular
A new feature that I will be starting on this blog is about books about a certain topic.
My first topic will be about the best books about the History of the Italian National Team.
These are the books I have chosen is:
Book I
‘La Nazionale Italiana’
Published in 1978.
Written Language: Italian
‘La Nazionale Italiana’ Cover
The first part of this book deals with the History of the National team with many archived photographs of players and matches.
The second part deals with every match played from 1910 to the end of 1977.
Full statistical information is given about each match, with dates, both lineups, player’s club information, a brief description of the match, plus a team photo for the majority of the matches.
Three smaller supplements to this book were published, the first covering the 1978 World Cup, the second covering Fall 1978 to June 1980, and the Third covering Fall 1980 to 1982 World Cup.
I am unaware if further supplements were ever published.
‘La Nazionale Italiana’ example
‘La Nazionale Italiana’ example page
Book II
‘Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano’
Authors: Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo
Published in 1974.
Written Language: Italian
‘Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano’ cover
This book has descriptions of every match played by Italy from 1910 to February 1974.
Full statistical information is given about each match, with dates, Italy’s lineups, players club information, plus a team and match photographs, though not as much as the previous book.
There is also a player profile in each page next to the match descriptions of certain players that marked Italy’s history.
‘Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano’ example page
Book III
‘Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983’
Published in 1983.
Written Language: Italian
Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983’ cover
This book is not a statistical book like the previous two, it is a historical book with many anecdotes and archived photographs as well as illustrations.
It covers stories and the history of the national team from 1910 until the 1982 World Cup.
Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983’ example page
Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983’ example page
Book IV
‘Il Libro Azzuro’
Author: Walter Perosino
Published in 1998.
Written Language: Italian
Il Libro Azzuro’ Cover
This book is the ultimate statistical book about the national team.
Every detail is covered, such as youngest to oldest players, penalties scored (or missed), etc.
There is also description with full national team appearance information on every player who has played for Italy.
‘Il Libro Azzuro’ example page
‘Il Libro Azzuro’ example page
If any one knows of other books pertaining to this topic, please do not hesitate to leave a post.
Two articles dealing with scandals with Italian teams, one dealing with Bologna in 1964 that nearly cost them the League title and another dealing with Internazionale Milano in 1981 concerning youth players
(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, June 1964 / English)
(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1981 / English)
Two articles about West german goalkeeper Harald Schumacher, one dealing with the controversy surrounding his autobiography in 1987, the other about his coming out of retirement to join Bayern Munich in Fall 1991 plus two Interviews and Three profiles
(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1987 / English)
(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, December 1991 / English)
(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, August 1980 / English)
(Magazine / Language : Fussball Magazin, March April 1982 / German)
(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, August 23-28, 1982 / Dutch)
(Magazine / Language : Onze, March 1983 / French)
(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, February 1992 / French)
Memorable European Confrontations, Part 9-1985-Bayern Munich vs. AS Roma
Bayern Munich and AS Roma were paired in the Quarter Finals of the Cup Winners Cup in March of 1985.
The Italians were going through a difficult season after having won the Serie A title in 1983 and losing the previous season Champions Cup Final to Liverpool.
Their successful manager, Nils Liedholm, had departed in the offseason to his previous club AC Milan and taken with him AS Roma’s captain Agostino di Bartolomei. AS Roma was now managed by the Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Their only noteworthy acquisition had been the return from Verona of striker Maurizio Iorio and midfielder Ruben Buriani from Cesena.
AS Roma was hampered by the long-term injury to inspirational Brazilian midfielder Paolo-Roberto Falcao, who virtually missed the entire season.
The side still contained veterans such as Brazilian Toninho Cerezo, Bruno Conti, Roberto Pruzzo and Francesco Graziani.
Bayern Munich, managed by Udo Latteck, had in the off-season lost Captain Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to Italy’s Internazionale Milano.
Many predicted an uneasy season as a result, but Bayern had made many key purchases.
Its key acquisition was Borussia Moenchengladbach’s midfielder Lothar Matthaus.
Others included Koln’s Holger Willmer, future International defender Norbert Eder from Nuremberg, striker Roland Wohlfarth from Duisburg and Ludwig Kogl from neighbors 1860 Munich.
The new captain was veteran Klaus Aughentaler and the side still retained Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff, defender Hans Pflugler and Norbert Nachtweith, Danish midfielder Soren Lerby, who was improving after a difficult first season, and veteran striker Dieter Hoeness.
The first leg, on March 6, was played in Munich’s Olympiastadion.
AS Roma were missing Bruno Conti who was suspended, while Manager Eriksson was in the stands since he did not have the proper License to manage teams in Italy.
Not to mention Falcao who was in his native Brazil recuperating from his injury.
(Bayern players prior to kick-off)
Roma played with five midfielders with only Pruzzo up front.
Pruzzo skippered Roma in Conti’s absence.
As a result World Cup winner Francesco Graziani did not start.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 13-19, 1985
(Bayern’s Dieter Hoeness)
Just before halftime Bayern’s Klaus Aughentaler scored one of his trademark long distance shots from 30 meters.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 13-19, 1985
(Bayern’s First goal by Aughentaler)
Despite this setback Roma continued to generally play well, though incapable of finishing the moves.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 13-19, 1985
(Bayern’s Dieter Hoeness dribbling past Tancredi and scoring)
With 13 minutes left a cross from the left reached an unmarked Dieter Hoeness in the box, he dribbled past Tancredi to score.
Photo From: France Football, March 12, 1985
(Giuseppe Giannini, Ludwig Kogl and Sebastiano Nela)
After the match Roma President Dino Viola admitted that the tie was lost and in fact the season was lost.
Photo From: France Football, March 12, 1985
(Reinhold Mathy and Cerezo, with Chiereico looking on)
March 6, 1985
Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V. (West Geramny) 2-Associazione Sportiva Roma(Italy) 0
Cup Winners Cup- Quarter Finals, First Leg
Venue: München (Munich) - Olympiastadion
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: George Courtney (England)
Goalscorers: (Bayern München): Klaus Aughentaler 44, Dieter Hoeness 77
Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts , White Socks
Note: Eriksson did not have the proper License to manage in Italy, therefore licensed coach Roberto Clagluna was present at his side
The second leg, on March 20, was played in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Bruno Conti was back in for Roma, with Maurizio Iorio starting in attack to assist Pruzzo.
Bayern were missing Wohlfath in attack, with Mathy replacing him.
Also in the side was Hans Pflugler in midfield.
Despite initial early pressure from Roma, Bayern never seemed in danger and were confident of advancing.
Pfaff made two superb saves (one in each half) from Iorio.
In the 33rd minute, Tancredi fouled Reinhold Mathy and Matthaus scored from the spot.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 27-April 2, 1985
(Bayern’s Matthaus scoring from the spot)
Francesco Graziani came on the second half replacing Pruzzo.
Roma were rewarded with their domination with only ten minutes remaining when Nela pulled a consolation goal from a long range shot from outside of the box from the left.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 27-April 2, 1985
(Nela’s tying goal)
However, Bayern immediately scored again through substitute Ludwig Kogl on a breakaway move.
Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, March 27-April 2, 1985
(Kogl scoring Bayern’s winner)
Roma’s poor season showed just how dependent they were of Falcao who was their organizer.
Roma finished in mid table and did not even qualify for the UEFA cup.
Bayern went to the next round but were defeated by eventual champions Everton.
They did however win the League title and qualify for the Champions Cup.
March 20, 1985
Associazione Sportiva Roma (Italy) 1-Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V. (West Geramny) 2
