My guest is Richard Hough, author of Verona Campione: The Miracle of 85, a book about Hellas Verona’s unlikely 1985 Scudetto triumph. We discuss the story behind that epic win, plus learn about Verona’s other two clubs, Chievo and Virtus.
Stick around at the end for a bonus recording of a talk on Italian football partisans during World War II that I gave recently at Manchester’s Festa della Liberazione, marking 80 years since the liberation of Italy.
To summarise the podcast:
- We explore the incredible story of Hellas Verona’s 1984/85 Serie A title win, a true underdog triumph against clubs packed with global superstars like Maradona, Platini, and Zico.
- We trace how Verona’s success was part of a longer-term project that began in 1981 under manager Osvaldo Bagnoli, not just a lucky season, highlighting his crucial role in building a tight-knit, high-performing team.
- We highlight how the team was composed largely of overlooked or cast-off players from bigger clubs, blended with just two foreign stars—Elkjær and Briegel—due to restrictions on overseas players.
- We dive into the characters behind the success, especially Bagnoli’s understated but genius leadership style, and key players like Pierino Fanna, Antonio Di Gennaro, and Giuseppe Galderisi.
- We revisit the context of Serie A at the time. There were only two points awarded for a win, meaning a tightly contested league where tactical discipline and draws were more common.
- We learn how this era is still cherished in Verona today, with players and fans maintaining strong bonds and memories, and the team’s success remaining a source of civic pride.
- We reflect on the darker elements of Hellas Verona’s history, discussing the far-right reputation among some fans while also recognising signs of social progress and improved behaviour in the stadium in recent years.
- We look at Verona’s football landscape more broadly, comparing Hellas Verona with local rivals Chievo and Virtus Verona—two clubs with very different political and cultural identities.
- We wrap up with practical travel tips for football lovers planning a trip to Verona, from how to score match tickets at the Bentegodi to enjoying the local wine and riverside strolls.
I release a new podcast every two weeks, so be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. You can find Football Travel by Outside Write on Apple, Spotify, Player.FM and Anchor. Look for it in Google Podcasts too. I’d really appreciate a rating or view if you like what I’m doing as it helps others discover the podcast.