Zonal Marking: From Ajax to Zidane, the Making of Modern Soccer

An “excellent” (New Yorker) history of European soccer, showing how shifting styles and influence have shaped the game

In the early 1990s, the Dutch footballing philosophy was worshipped across the continent. Then the baton passed to the Italians, who clearly boasted Europe's strongest league. But when France started winning everything at the international level its national academy became the template for others, until suddenly, almost out of nowhere, Europe's most revered player and manag...