The amazing underdog story of how Hellas Verona conquered the giants of Italian football to become Serie A champions. Published to mark the 40th anniversary of Verona’s achievement, this authentic footballing fairy tale is brought to life through exclusive interviews with players, journalists and fans.

By Richard Hough, an experienced writer and historian who has been immersed in Italian life and football for more than a decade.

Read and discover how:

• International stars such as Platini, Maradona, Rummenigge, Sócrates, Júnior, Laudrup, Souness, Hateley and Wilkins were drawn to the peninsula that season, making Serie A the most competitive and prestigious league in the world
• Innovative new managers, such as Sven-Göran Eriksson, competed with veterans like Giovanni Trapattoni to get their hands on the coveted Albo d'oro del campionato Italiano di calcio, or ‘il Scudetto’ as it is commonly known
• Verona’s idiosyncratic manager Osvaldo Bagnoli patiently assembled a tight-knit squad of accomplished but unspectacular homegrown players, plus two astute foreign signings: the former German pentathlete Hans-Peter Briegel and the mercurial but underachieving Dane, Preben Elkjær Larsen
• Eighties Italian culture forms a compelling backdrop to the story
• The team’s monumental triumph still resonates in the city today

Perfect for any football fan with an interest in the game’s history – plus anyone who enjoys an underdog story – this gripping book uncovers how a team came from nowhere to shock the footballing world with one of the most remarkable sporting achievements of all time.

"A masterclass in football storytelling, shining a well deserved spotlight on one of the sport’s most unlikely triumphs. Hough’s deep affection for Verona and his encyclopaedic knowledge of Italian football come through on every page, giving the reader an authentic and immersive experience. What really sets this book apart is the way Hough captures the spirit of the city and its people, making the story resonate well beyond the pitch… With meticulous research and a genuine passion for his subject, Richard Hough has crafted a book that is as much about community and resilience as it is about football. Verona Campione: The Miracle of 85 is a must-read for anyone who loves the game, admires an underdog, or simply wants to understand why football matters so much in cities like Verona. Hough has delivered a true classic—one that will be treasured by fans for years to come."

Richard Hough has lived in Verona since 2011 and writes about the region’s history, football, wine and culture. He was the editor of the Crazy Faithful fanzine, and in 2024 he published Notes from Verona: An Anthology, a collection of essays that offers a refreshing insight into life in Italy. The first two volumes of Verona at War (part of a planned trilogy) tell the story of the rise of fascism in Verona and the city's subsequent occupation.