Guglielmo Vicario has said he “understands the frustration of the fans” after the Tottenham goalkeeper was involved in an emotional exchange after his side’s 1-0 defeat at AZ in the first leg of their Europa League tie.
Vicario kept Ange Postecoglou’s side in contention to reach the quarter-finals with several fine saves as Spurs put in a disappointing performance in the Netherlands. The Italian went to the away fans after the full-time whistle and raised his arms in a gesture that appeared to be encouraging them to show more support. That did not go down well with some and Vicario reacted angrily before leaving the pitch.
“I can assume the disappointment [was] for the night because we didn’t play our football,” he said. “So I can understand the frustration of the fans. But we still have a lot to play for, especially in the second leg. It’s just a way of trying to stay together because we have the opportunity to go through to the next round.”
Asked whether the Tottenham supporters could make a difference in Thursday’s second leg, when Rodrigo Bentancur will be suspended after a yellow card, he said: “We need them every game, home and away. We know they are very important for us and now is a big moment of the season and with them we can play with one more man on the pitch, so it’s so important … It’s the moment to stick together.”
The Europa League is Tottenham’s only chance of a trophy this season. They are 13th in the Premier League and entertain Bournemouth on Sunday.
