Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has spoken out after footage went viral showing him stepping in to protect teammate Lucas Bergvall from an angry supporter following Spurs’ defeat to Chelsea.
The Italian keeper revealed that he felt it was his responsibility to shield the young midfielder, who was visibly emotional after a difficult evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The match had already been a rough experience for Bergvall, who was forced off early in the game after suffering a concussion. The 19-year-old was struck on the side of the head by the ball at close range and went down in clear discomfort.
Despite his determination to carry on, pleading with medical staff to let him continue and even attempting to move past the club doctor, the medical team made the right call and substituted him for his own safety.
As a result, Bergvall is now expected to miss Tottenham’s next two fixtures as he follows concussion protocols.
After the match, Bergvall returned to the pitch to applaud the Spurs supporters, a gesture of appreciation that unfortunately led to an unpleasant confrontation.
While clapping the fans, it appeared that one individual in the crowd shouted something negative toward the young midfielder. Clearly affected by the comment, Bergvall seemed ready to respond, but Vicario quickly intervened.
The goalkeeper was seen ushering Bergvall away from the situation before turning toward the stand himself, glaring in the direction of the shouting fan and gesturing in frustration as the pair made their way back down the tunnel.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s upcoming Champions League clash with Copenhagen, Vicario explained the incident and why he felt compelled to step in. “In every environment there are very good people and some bad people,” he said calmly.
“Probably he came into contact with one bad person. That doesn’t mean everyone is bad, of course, but sometimes you meet one of those people, and I had to protect him because he was a little bit emotional at that moment. It’s part of my experience to do that, and those things should be discussed inside the dressing room, not outside.”
Vicario’s intervention has been widely praised, with many fans admiring his leadership and composure. The goalkeeper has quietly become one of Spurs’ most reliable figures, consistently performing at a high level even as the team has struggled in recent weeks.
Against Chelsea, Vicario made several impressive saves to keep Tottenham in the game, though he also came under some criticism from the stands after a late free-kick went wrong.
During stoppage time, he opted to play a short pass before launching the ball upfield, only for it to fall straight to Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez. Some frustrated supporters voiced their displeasure, and Vicario could sense the tension from the stands.
Reflecting on that, he admitted that while criticism comes with the territory, he hopes the fans can be a bit more supportive during challenging moments. “I think probably in some moments during the game, especially when we are chasing, we need to stay a little calmer,” he said.
“If we can have a little bit more help from some situations coming from the stands, it could of course be better. But we cannot control it. Everyone was disappointed after the game. We had already lost a London derby, so emotions were high, and that’s when frustrations come out.”
The Italian also pointed out that he’s no stranger to passionate fans, having played in his homeland before joining Tottenham. “About the situation in the stadium, I think it’s normal,” he continued.
“I was a fan myself when I was a kid and saw many of these things. Probably in Italy it’s even worse, so I’ve got big shoulders about that. It’s not a big problem for me. You know, it’s like when you go to the theatre to watch a show, and if you don’t like it, you express your reaction. That’s how it is.”
Despite the disappointing result against Chelsea, Vicario’s comments highlight the strong sense of unity within the Tottenham squad.
His actions showed not only leadership but genuine care for a younger teammate still learning to handle the pressures of top-level football. Bergvall’s incident served as a reminder of how emotionally charged the sport can be, particularly for players eager to prove themselves.
As Tottenham prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including the Champions League meeting with Copenhagen and a tough Premier League clash with Manchester United, Vicario’s level-headedness and team-first mentality will be invaluable.
While tensions may rise among fans after recent setbacks, his message was clear support, patience, and composure are just as important off the pitch as they are on it.
