Gianluca Vialli remembered fondly the world over, particularly in Finglas

'There was no airs and graces with him, he was with us for it all.'

DIFFERENT BALL GAME: Gianluca Vialli outside the club in Finglas. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

A staple of Niall Crossan’s week was Saturday mornings, Channel 4 and Football Italia. It was foreign and thrilling and mystical. One of his weekend champions was Gianluca Vialli. Two decades later, the Italian legend would walk through the doors at his local club Erin’s Isle as their new coach.

The former Italy, Juventus and Chelsea striker died on Friday at the age of 58 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He will be remembered fondly across the world but particularly in Finglas. In 2018, Vialli was in Ireland to take part in AIB's The Toughest Rivalry series along with Harry Redknapp.