Gianluca Vialli

Advantages: An intelligent insight into professional football in England and Italy
Disadvantages: So what?

...that these are the nations that the authors know best, but in doing so it loses little of its relevance, since they are also the world's two most important football markets. And, if the book's theme is to be accepted, they represent two contrasting extremes in approaches to the game. Apart from the authors' own intimate knowledge, the book draws on interviews with many of the game's leading figures and on extensive statistical research. * Given that The Italian Job is not an autobiography and has two co-authors, the fact that it is related in the first person by Gianluca Vialli may seem odd, but the device works well. Apart from having been an outstandingly successful footballer and, briefly, football manager, Vialli is a man of intellect and charm, as anyone who has heard him being interviewed will know. The experience that underlies the book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: none
Disadvantages: the whole book

..., we were the better side and should have won until a mix up involving Graeme Le Saux saw them equalize in the last minute"..........anyone who has played the game will recognise these explanations as a cop-out for a simple fact that the side he played in were simply not good enough to challenge Manchester Utd and Arsenal on a consistent basis. Large portions of the book are simply a reiteration of games played and the result of the game. We learn that Wimbledon beat Watford 2-1. Chelsea won 3-0 at Crystal Palace. Then they lost 5-3 at home to Manchester Utd. This just smacks of someone trying to fill space. What really annoyed me too was the theme that if, like Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Guillit (two very good players if you didn't know) you were Dennis' mate, then you were alright whatever you did on and off the pitch. However... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful