Tottenham Hotspur have endured a tumultuous season, with plenty of ups and down amid injury crises and unexpected results – both good and bad.
Spurs have shown they can comprehensively beat anyone on their day, but they’ve also suffered some shock defeats to teams they’d have been expected to beat.
The latest chapter in Tottenham’s season saw them lose 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar in their Europa League last-16 first leg in the Netherlands.
Lucas Bergvall’s unfortunate goal sadly proved the difference between the two sides, with Spurs unable to offer much of a threat in response.
After the match, Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was involved in a heated exchange with the Spurs fans that had travelled to the game.
He went over to the away supporters and waved his arms, appearing to urge them to lift their spirits, but his actions were met with anger and frustration.
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the press ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth, explained what people may not know about Vicario.
Ange Postecoglou says Guglielmo Vicario has no ‘bad or vindictive bone’ in his body
Postecoglou issued a firm defence of Vicario, saying anyone who thinks he has “one bad or vindictive bone” in his body doesn’t know the man he does.
The Tottenham boss stressed that Vicario is “one of the purest human beings” around, and is simply “very passionate” about Spurs, wants to win, and wants everyone on board.
“Vic is very, very passionate about this football club and very passionate about what we’re trying to do here and he wants to win and he wants everyone on board with that,” Postecoglou said.
“If people think there is one bad or vindictive bone in Vicario’s makeup then they don’t know the man that I do.
“The guy is one of the purest human beings you have ever come across, mate, so whatever he does he does for what he thinks is best for the team and for the football club because he really cares.”
More quotes from Postecoglou about Vicario surfaced later on in the day in which the Tottenham boss reiterated how passionate Vicario is and how hard he works in training.
“If anyone doubts Vicario’s commitment to this football club or his passion, mate, watch the bit they did on him coming back from injury,” he said, as per football.london.
“That guy did everything in his power to get back as quickly as possible. Why? Because he cares. He cared last night, he cares this morning. He’s a wonderful asset for this football club.
“He was showing people who he is because what he showed out there is what he showed in the dressing room, it’s what he shows every day in training.
“You lose a game in training and he’s not happy. That’s just who he is.”
What Guglielmo Vicario said to Tottenham fans the day after AZ game
On Friday, Vicario addressed the incident in a new post on his Instagram account.
The £17million man stressed that his intention was to attempt to foster unity among the fans – he even apologised if anyone took it the wrong way.
“As a team, we take full responsibility for our terrible performance on the pitch last night.We will work even harder to understand, as a mature group, what went wrong.
“Still, we have a great opportunity, starting from Sunday, to redeem ourselves and prepare in the best way possible for the second battle next Thursday.
“Regarding what happened at the final whistle in front of the away section, I want to clarify my intention to keep everyone as united as possible, even in the disappointment we have caused our people.
“If I have offended anyone, I apologise to those who felt affected.
“Post-match emotions can be misunderstood, but I assure you that my commitment to this team and you, our fans, grows stronger day after day. COYS, together.”
Les Ferdinand hailed Vicario’s performance against AZ and claims he proved his importance for Spurs.
