Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League journey hit a stumbling block as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Despite dominating possession for large stretches, Spurs struggled to find a way through the Dutch side’s compact defensive setup. The decisive moment came in the first half when Lucas Bergvall inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous cross.
As the final whistle blew, frustration was evident among the travelling Tottenham supporters, who voiced their disappointment with boos and whistles.
While most players acknowledged the reaction without issue, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was visibly emotional, showing his frustration towards the fans.
Thoughts on this?
Vicario is obviously an emotional guy and hates losing. That’s a good thing. His disappointment and anger took over in the moment…
He was obviously wrong to react like this, but it happens… let’s not cancel the guy 🤍
🎥: @mari_mavi5pic.twitter.com/SjJEEmLBDv
— Football Confidential 🌐 (@footballconfid1) March 7, 2025
The Italian shot-stopper, known for his fierce competitive nature, was clearly disappointed by both the team’s underwhelming performance and the reaction from the stands.
Since arriving at Tottenham in the summer of 2023, Vicario has established himself as a key figure in Ange Postecoglou’s squad. The 28-year-old made an immediate impact after signing from Empoli, securing a clean sheet in just his second Premier League appearance against Manchester United.
His consistently strong performances earned him multiple Save of the Month nominations, and in February 2024, he was recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year at the London Football Awards.
Vicario’s resilience has been a defining trait throughout his time at Spurs. Earlier this season, he suffered a broken ankle during a match against Manchester City but remarkably played the full 60 minutes. After spending three months recovering, he made a triumphant return with a clean sheet against Manchester United last month.
Beyond his visible frustration after the AZ Alkmaar loss, Vicario showcased leadership by immediately consoling Bergvall after his own goal, ensuring the young midfielder didn’t dwell on the mistake.
Vicario’s passion embodies the mentality Spurs need to overturn the deficit in 2nd leg and keep their European dreams alive in what has been a challenging season.
