Best tactical soccer books
A poignant and brilliantly told story of disaster and triumph.īuy it (opens in new tab) here (opens in new tab), £6 The book concludes by pointing out that – weeks after the tragic events in Sheffield – Arsenal’s win at Anfield was a precursor of the symbiosis between football and TV, which would soon pull the sport out of the dark ages. Graham’s tactical nous shines throughout the entire campaign, as does his uncanny forecast of how the decider against Kenny Dalglish’s men would pan out. On one hand, it’s a 30th anniversary celebration, told from the point of view of Arsenal players and fans, revealing much about the intensity of the night and elation when Thomas finally struck.īut it’s also a warts-and-all look at ’80s football, with recollections of racism, dilapidated grounds and the impact of Hillsborough.
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This book is a richly layered piece of football history. But none can equal the final match of the season at Anfield in 1989, when George Graham’s team beat title rivals Liverpool to win the First Division, thanks to a late Michael Thomas goal. It’s essential reading for anyone with an interest in how football both shapes and reflects society across the globe.īuy it (opens in new tab) here (opens in new tab), £9.99Īrsenal have enjoyed a number of stellar moments during their (sometimes) illustrious history. Goldblatt’s book is endlessly fascinating. Meltdown on the pitch was quickly mirrored by economic strife away from it, as well as a decade of bailouts, debt and high unemployment. In Europe, the national hysteria which greeted Greece’s surprise victory at Euro 2004 contrasted starkly with their dismal string of defeats at Euro 2008. Shipping sponsorship saved several clubs in Somalia, while Chinese investment built several new stadia in Ethiopia, which filled as they came close to 2014 World Cup qualification. Yet despite ongoing civil wars in a raft of states, globalisation’s more positive aspects have since enabled some to survive or even flourish.
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He has a sharp eye for the most richly textured stories in Africa, for example, stadia made for the 2010 World Cup are hugely underused a decade later, and players remain predominantly in their “class and ethnic silos”.
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Goldblatt expertly links politics, economics and culture to show how each has brought about a seismic change in football. Buy it (opens in new tab) here (opens in new tab), £11.80