by Steve Amoia

La Partita: The game. Plural form is Le Partite. Pronounced "Lah Pahr-tee-tah or Leh Pahr-tee-tay."

Il Modulo: The module or system that a coach employs. In the Serie A, most teams use a variation of the 4-4-2 or a 4-3-2-1. Some play a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3, which is more attack-oriented. A few play with 5 midfielders. Pronounced "Eel Moe-duh-loh."

Il Tridente: This is when the coach uses three attackers, or a "trident." Pronounced "Eel Tree-dayn-tay." As in the 4-3-3 referenced in il modulo.

Il Derby: A game between two teams from the same city or region. Pronounced "Eel Dair-bee." For example, AC Milan and Inter Milan. AS Roma and Lazio. Juventus and Torino. When Inter plays Juventus, it is called "Il Derby D'Italia." Because only these two teams have always played in the Serie A.

Fuorigioco: Offsides. Pronounced "Fwour-ree-joe-coh."

Il Pallone: The ball. Pronounced "Eel Pah-low-nay." Also can be called "La sfera." Pronounced "Lah sfair-rah." Or La Palla. "Lah Pahl-lah."

Palle Gol: A goal scoring opportunity. Pronounced "Pah-lay Goal."

Il Palo: Either of the two poles of the goal. Pronounced "Eel Pah-low." When a shot hits the pole, it is called a "palo."

La Traversa: The crossbar of the goal. Pronounced "Lah Trah-vair-sah."

La Porta: The goal mouth. Pronounced "Lah Poor-tah." Literally, the door.

Tiro: Shot on goal. Pronounced "Tee-roh." The plural form is "tiri." "Tee-reeh."

Cartellino Giallo/Rosso: Yellow/red card. Pronounced "Car-tay-lee-no jahlow/row-soh."

Ammonito: Warning. Pronounced "Ah-moe-nee-toh." Usually heard when a player receives a yellow card. When he receives a red card, he is "Espulso." "Ace-pool-soh."

Un uomo in meno: When a player is red carded, his team plays with 10 men. Or, "one less man." Pronounced "Ewn wah-moe Een may-noh."

Calcio d'angolo: Corner kick. Pronounced "Cahl-choh-dan-go-low."

Calcio di punizione: Free kick. Pronounced "Cahl-choh dee pooh-neez-zee-oh-nay."

Catenaccio: Literal meaning is "door bolt." This refers to a defensive system that focuses on very tight marking, with rapid counter attacks. Internazionale (Inter Milan) introduced this system in the 1960's. Pronounced "Kah-tay-nah-choh."

Falo di mano: Hand ball. "Falo = foul." Pronounced "Fowl-loh dee mah-noh."

Tuffo: Dive. Pronounced "Too-foe." Usually, this causes a yellow card booking in Italy. Along with other words by opposing players that I can not share with you… ;-)

Rete: Goal. Also refers to the actual net. The plural form is "reti." Pronounced "Ray-tay or Ray-Tee." The word "Gol" is also used.

Rimetta: Throw-in or goal kick. Pronounced "Ree-may-tah."

Lancio in profundita: A long pass played into open space. Pronounced "Lahn-choh een pro-fuun-dee-tah."

Tacco: Backheel pass. Pronounced "Tah-koh."

Autogol: Own goal. Pronounced "Owl-toe-goal."

Rigore: Penalty kick. Pronounced "Ree-gore-ray." The player who takes the penalties for a team is usually called the Rigorista. Pronounced "Ree-gore-ree-stah."

Pareggio: Tie game. Pronounced "Pah-ray-joe." In newspapers or web sites that list la classifica, ties are referred to as "nulle." Pronounced "New-lay." Games won are called Vinte. Pronounced "Veen-tay." Games lost are Perse. Pronounced "Pair-say." In Totocalcio, which is a popular game picking lottery in Italy, here is how you would make your choices: AC Milan v. Juventus: 1 for Milan to win, X "Ickx" for a tie, and 2 for a Juventus away win.

La Panchina: The player's bench. Pronounced "Pahn-kee-nah." Sulla panchina = "On the bench." Pronounced "Sue-lah pahn-kee-nah."

La Tribuna: The stands or terraces. Pronounced "Tree-boo-nah." La tribuna d'onore is the VIP section. Pronounced "Lah tree-boo-nah doh-nor-ray."

La Curva: The curve. The areas directly behind each goal. These are places where the more fervent home and away supporters sit or stand during games in Italy. Commonly known as the "Curva Sud" and "Curva Nord." Pronounced "Coor-vah Sued and Coor-vah Noord."

Tifosi: The fans or supporters. Derived from the word "typhus." Pronounced "Tee-foh-see." Tifosi of AC Milan are called "Milanisti." Pronounced "Mee-lahn-nee-stee." The team is also called "I Rossoneri." The Red and Blacks, which are their colors. Pronounced "E Roe-so-nay-ree."

Ultra: The hard-core supporters. Pronounced "Ewl-trah."

Fischiare: To whistle. Also, I Fischi. What supporters do when they don't like something on the pitch. Common to North American booing or jeering. Pronounced "Fee-ski-ah-ray and E Fee-ski."

Forza: Go!! Usually followed by the name of your team. Such as, "Forza Milan or Forza Azzurri." Pronounced "Fort-zhah."

La Spogliatoglio: The dressing room. Pronounced "Spoy-lah-toy-leoh." Uomo di spogliatoglio is a player who is respected as a club house leader. Pronounced "Wah-moe dee…"

La Classifica: The table of current standings in the Serie A. Pronounced "Lah Clah-see-fee-cah."

La Salvezza: Avoiding relegation to the Serie B. Each year, a few teams at the bottom of the Classifica lose the privilege (and financial considerations) to play in the Serie A. Some of these games are very intense. Pronounced "Sahl-vayt-sah."

Tanti auguri. (Tahn-tee aw-gore-ree) Best wishes.

Part 1: From The Beginning
Part 2: Coaches & Referees
Part 3: Players

Shops/Stores

Italiansrus Gear
Proudly display the colors of Italy with these great products.

RomeGiftShop
Purchase souvenirs & gifts from Rome & Italy. Get FREE postcards from Rome.

Italian Charms
Huge selection of Italian charms and jewelry.

FORZIERI.com
The world largest online retailer for Premium Italian Fashions.