Forza Italia: The Fall and Rise of Italian Football

by Paddy Agnew

When journalist Paddy Agnew and his girlfriend touched down in Rome in 1985 in search of adventure, sunshine, and the soul of Italian soccer, they were traveling into the uncharted terrain of a country they did not know and a language they did not speak. It soon became clear that neither Italy nor Italian soccer would be boring. In that first week in Italy, Michel Platini and Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup, while just days later the PLO killed 13 people in a random shooting at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Paddy covered both stories. The coming years saw the rise of TV tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, as he became owner of AC Milan and then Prime Minister of Italy, naming his political party Forza Italia after a football chant. In that same period, Argentine Diego Maradona became the uncrowned King of Naples, leading Napoli to a first ever Scudetto title in 1987, notwithstanding a hectic, Hollywood-esque lifestyle that mixed soccer genius with off-the-field excess. Forza Italia is a fascinating tale of inspired players, skilled coaches, rich tycoons, glitzy media coverage, Mafia corruption, allegations of drug taking, and fan power—culminating in the 2006 World Cup victory that delighted a nation and a match-fixing scandal that shocked the world. It is also a personalized reflection on the consistent and continuing excellence of Italian soccer throughout a period of huge social, political, and economic upheaval, offering a unique insight into a society where soccer has always been much more than just a game.

Genres: Football, Sports, Nonfiction, Soccer, Italy, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2007

Reviews

[Callum Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever read, just came back to check the reviews, also a story about this slightly helped me get my current job

[Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great look into Italian Calcio before the World Cup win. The chapter added after the win helps illuminate the troubles going on in Italy during their World Cup run. All the trials and match fixing stories were really good incite on the corruption of Series A. Also the Maradona chapter was fantastic look into the troubled superstars life.

[Dino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any Italian soccer fan. Gives a good look into its history, goes deep into what goes on in Italian soccer (the good and the bad) and really illustrates how passionate Italy is about its soccer and how big of a presence it has on Italian life. Enjoyable read.

[Archie Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that as well as detailing the sport show how interwoven it is with the fabric of society. This is a excellent book explaining how interlinked Italian football is with general society. Part sport, part sociology all great

[David Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forza Italia

This is a genuinely enjoyable book about Italian football and life in the early 21st Century. I particularly enjoyed the parts about the author's early experience of Italian life.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much about the glory years of Serie A as about the life of a journalist in Italy finding stories in a country wild about calcio. Paddy is a great guide and unafraid to be critical of the nation as a whole.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting and great writing style, perfectly captures italy and italian football

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The parts about football are excellent, but I could have done without the memoir element and the commentary on the differences between Italy/the mezzogiorno and the Anglo-Saxon sphere. The book is showing its age a bit- Italy is far more integrated into Europe these days, and there have been more highs and more lows for Italian football in the interim. Despite the image of Italy lifting the World Cup on the cover, the aftermath of the 2006 win, with Juve's demotion is barely touched on. I would be interested to hear the author's take on subsequent football scandals.

[Alex Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to modern italian football

[Kirsten Schlewitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a bit out of date but helped to give an overall feel of living in Italy with the football culture (dangerous to me!)

[Natan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars. The parts about life in Italy are very good - the bureaucracy there seems to be remarkably similar to its Israeli counterpart :)

[Ultan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into Italian Football and society. If you are into Italian football you should give it a go.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for Italian football fans.