Guglielmo Vicario
Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham Hotspur’s standout goalkeeper, has acknowledged the challenges his team faces with the demanding schedule of playing up to three times a week. Despite his stellar performance in the recent Champions League draw against Monaco, Vicario admits that Spurs are struggling to adapt to the hectic pace of fixtures as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League match against Everton.
Guglielmo Vicario said: “There are periods in the season you know and it is not always easy. We play every three games and the level we want always to be as high as you can, but sometimes we cannot hit the best and today was this. We will work on it but we know what could be our level and today it was of course not top. But after also drawing against Bodo/Glimt, who they beat home and away in May to reach the Europa League final, qualification is by no means a formality just yet. Vicario insists Tottenham are targeting a top-eight finish so they can bypass the play-off round and head straight into the round of 16.”
He continued: “It would be the best option, of course and we will try. Eight out of 36 is not even the 25 per cent of teams. So, it is a big effort to do it. We will try, but the important thing is to be there, to stay there and to fight for this Champions League.”
When asked if Spurs are struggling in Europe, the defiant 29-year-old continued: “It always depends on how you see things, I don’t see it this way. I think in the Champions League we play two away games. It is always tough to get points and we manage to get two, so seeing it from this perspective, it is a good amount of points. Of course, we managed to win against Villarreal. I think we played a good game that night and won 1-0 so it was enough. Now we have five more to play and we will try our best to get the maximum points. It’s always a good point when you’re away in the Champions League, it’s good for the table and we’ll take it. It was not the best performance from us, we know it and we have to work on it. We will do it.”
Vicario’s comments reflect the broader challenges faced by Tottenham as they navigate a demanding fixture list, which includes domestic and European commitments. The Italian shot-stopper’s heroics in Monte-Carlo, where he made eight crucial saves, helped Spurs secure a valuable point. However, the team is aware that maintaining high performance levels consistently is essential for their ambitions both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Tottenham’s objective of securing a top-eight finish in the league is driven by the desire to avoid the play-off round and advance directly to the Champions League round of 16. With Sky Sports broadcasting a record number of live Premier League games this season, the pressure and visibility on teams like Spurs are higher than ever.
As Spurs prepare for their trip to Goodison Park, Vicario’s insights underscore the importance of resilience and adaptation in a season where the margins for error are slim. The upcoming clash against Everton will be another test of Tottenham’s ability to manage their schedule and maintain their competitive edge.
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