Guglielmo Vicario makes spurs commonly set-piece mistakes on duty with Italy
Guglielmo Vicario, the Spurs goalkeeper, earned a rare start for Italy on Monday night, but his performance revealed a significant issue that has plagued his game.
Despite his growing international presence, Vicario’s struggles with set-piece deliveries continue to be a weak point, and it’s a problem that needs addressing if he is to maintain his position as Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Since his arrival at Tottenham last summer, Vicario has shown considerable promise. His rise in international football has been steady, making his debut for Italy in March and securing a spot in the national squad for Euro 2024.
Under the guidance of Italy’s manager, Luciano Spalletti, he has consistently been included in the matchday squads and is seen as a reliable backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
During this international break, Vicario was handed the starting role in Italy’s Nations League match against Israel. It was a significant opportunity for the Spurs stopper, as he started ahead of Donnarumma, a sign of trust in his abilities.
Italy won the match 4-1, but Vicario’s performance was marred by a critical error that once again highlighted his vulnerability in dealing with set-pieces.
The incident occurred when Israel prepared to take a corner. Vicario found himself entangled with Matan Baltaxa, a defender from Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who positioned himself right on the goalkeeper’s feet in the six-yard box.
This positioning caused immediate problems for Vicario, who attempted to push Baltaxa away before the corner was taken. Despite his efforts to create space, Vicario struggled to assert himself as Mohammad Abu Fani delivered the ball into the box. Outmuscled by the opposition, Vicario failed to deal with the cross, and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
This moment of weakness was not an isolated incident for Vicario watch the video here. His difficulty with set-pieces has been a recurring issue since his time at Tottenham, and it’s becoming a pattern that opposing teams are exploiting.
In the latter half of last season, teams like Everton and Arsenal adopted aggressive man-marking tactics during set-pieces, deliberately targeting Vicario’s inability to command his box. These tactics have often resulted in mistakes, with some leading directly to goals.
While Vicario excels in many aspects of goalkeeping, including shot-stopping and distribution, his struggle with set-pieces is becoming a glaring weakness. His inability to dominate the six-yard box and effectively deal with high-pressure situations during corners and free-kicks has cost Tottenham in key moments. This recurring issue raises questions about his long-term suitability as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Tottenham, as a club, demands high standards, especially in positions as crucial as goalkeeper. If Vicario is unable to address this weakness, Spurs may find themselves forced to explore alternatives.
His shot-stopping abilities are undoubtedly impressive, and his distribution from the back has been effective. However, his inability to command his area during set-pieces could prove to be a significant liability for the team, particularly in tight matches where mistakes can be costly.
The upcoming season will be crucial for Vicario. He must work to improve his confidence and physical presence in the box if he hopes to maintain his status at Tottenham.
Otherwise, the club could be looking for a new goalkeeper come next summer. In modern football, where set-pieces can often be the difference between victory and defeat, a goalkeeper who struggles in these situations can’t afford to be a long-term solution.
For now, Vicario remains an important part of the squad, but his position is far from secure. Tottenham will be closely monitoring his performances, especially in high-pressure situations, and if the set-piece problem persists, they may have no choice but to make a change.
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