"L'allenatore nel pallone" is a classic Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Martino and released in 1984. The movie stars Lino Banfi as Oronzo Canà, a former football player turned coach who is called upon to lead the team of Longobarda, a small town in the Northern region of Italy. The team has just been promoted to the First Division, and the pressure is on to perform well and avoid relegation.
Oronzo Canà is a seasoned coach, but he has never worked with a team as small and inexperienced as Longobarda. The team's owner, who is a wealthy businessman, is not interested in spending too much money on the team, and he constantly clashes with Canà over his plans and decisions. Meanwhile, the players are struggling with their own personal issues, including a young Brazilian player named Pelè who is homesick and missing his family.
As the season progresses, Canà faces numerous challenges, both on and off the field. He struggles to motivate his players and find the right tactics to win matches, while also dealing with the team owner's interference and the personal problems of the players. Eventually, the team starts to come together and win games, but the road to success is not an easy one.
The film is known for its humor and satire, poking fun at the world of Italian football and the eccentric personalities that make it up. Lino Banfi delivers a strong performance as Oronzo Canà, a likable and determined character who is determined to see his team succeed. The supporting cast also includes popular Italian actors such as Massimo Boldi, Mara Venier, and Gianni Ciardo. The movie was a box office success in Italy and spawned several sequels and spin-offs over the years.