{"product_id":"the-final-in-pursuit-of-greatness","title":"The Final: In Pursuit of Greatness","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the publisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Final: In Pursuit of Greatness captures the drama of the last European Cup final before the Champions League overhaul: a watershed moment in football. On 18 May 1994, Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ faced Fabio Capello’s injury-hit AC Milan in Athens. What should have been a coronation for Barca turned into one of the most remarkable performances in European football history from their opponent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith stars like Romário, Stoichkov, Maldini and Savicevic, the match became a tactical masterclass that stunned fans and rewrote expectations. The book revisits the journey to Athens – from Galatasaray’s infamous ‘Welcome to Hell’ to Milan’s imperious league campaign – before dissecting the final’s pivotal moments. It explores how the outcome shaped both clubs, the careers of their icons, and the wider legacy of 1990s European football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRich in storytelling and insight, The Final is the definitive account of one night that changed the game forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRob Fletcher is a football writer with a passion for the 1990s. He is the creator and editor of Boro Mag, presents podcasts with These Football Times and has authored two books: 1992: The Birth of Modern Football and Chaos, Controversy and THAT Kung Fu Kick, which featured iconic moments from the 90s. The Final: In Pursuit of Greatness is his third book, combining scrupulous research, compelling storytelling and a deep love of the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003e---\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePitch Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e22 x 14 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePaperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e224 pages\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eMay 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eEnglish\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9781836802907\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Rob Fletcher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58176616956285,"sku":null,"price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/5149\/9341\/files\/2026-05-1517.05.11.jpg?v=1778863208","url":"https:\/\/stanchionbooks.com\/products\/the-final-in-pursuit-of-greatness","provider":"Stanchion","version":"1.0","type":"link"}