Classic Derbies and Epic Rivalries explores the history, tradition and violent nature of football's biggest clashes. The heated rivalry that fuels these contests is often sinister yet remains an essential part of the event. It can be a deep-rooted animosity, based on politics, geography or religion.

Andy Bollen explores the history, tradition and violent nature of football's biggest clashes.

In unravelling the history of these infamous feuds, Bollen gets to the crux of each conflict, exploring why the fans dislike each other so vehemently.

Football is often a search for political identity, as in Spain's El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, while in Buenos Aires' Superclásico, it's poverty and privilege at the heart of the rivalry between working-class Boca Juniors and bourgeois River Plate.

Whether it's the Cairo derby with Al Ahly and Zamalek, the Croatian chaos of Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split or Turkey's Intercontinental derby with Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, these clashes are a potent mix of fanatical zealot, political rally and crazed ultras preparing for war.

Showcasing and detailing football's great games, names and most memorable moments, Bollen has penned an important work on classic derbies and epic rivalries.