Non capisco le scelte dell'allenatore.

I don't understand the manager's choices.

Pronunciation

non kah-PEE-skoh leh SKEL-teh del-lal-leh-nah-TOH-reh.

When to use it

When the coach makes a substitution or tactical decision you disagree with. Criticising the manager (l'allenatore) is a fundamental right of every Italian football fan.

What it means

Non capisco means I do not understand. Le scelte means the choices or decisions. Dell'allenatore means of the manager or coach. L'allenatore is one of the most frequently criticised figures in Italian football — even when the team wins.

Variations

Perché ha tolto il nostro attaccante migliore?

Why did he take off our best attacker?

Protesting a specific substitution decision.

Doveva cambiare sistema di gioco.

He should have changed the system of play.

Tactical criticism of the manager.

L'allenatore non capisce niente di tattica.

The manager understands nothing about tactics.

More extreme criticism — common in Italian fan culture.

Mini Dialogue

— Non capisco le scelte dell'allenatore. — Anch'io. Perché ha tolto Barella al sessantesimo? — Era il nostro migliore in campo. — Forse aveva un problema fisico. — O forse è una scelta tattica sbagliata. — Vedremo. Se perdiamo, dovrà spiegare.

— I don't understand the manager's choices. — Neither do I. Why did he take off Barella at sixty? — He was our best player on the pitch. — Maybe he had a physical problem. — Or maybe it's a wrong tactical choice. — We'll see. If we lose, he'll have to explain.

Cultural Note

Italian football managers are under constant scrutiny from fans and media. La panchina (literally 'the bench' but meaning the manager's job) is always hot — top Serie A managers like Spalletti, Ancelotti, and Allegri have all been sacked despite major successes. Instant results are demanded.

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Che fallo violento! Merita il rosso!

Che delusione — abbiamo pareggiato.

← All phrases: At a Football Match