Tottenham’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario didn’t arrive in the Premier League overnight. His rise has been anything but instant. From depths to heights, the Italian shot-stopper worked his way up from the very bottom of Italy’s football pyramid. It’s a path filled with lessons, growth, and gratitude. Vicario shared his journey in an interview with Mark Schwarzer for Optus Sport, reflecting on how far he’s come. From Depths to Heights.
“I literally started from the bottom of Italian football,” Vicario said. “I had to fight through every level won the third division, spent two years in Serie B, and eventually made it to the top. Empoli gave me my first real chance as a number one in a top-flight team, and I’ll always be thankful for that. The memories I made there will stay with me forever.”
Adjusting to Life in the Premier League
Now at Spurs, Vicario’s finding out just how different English football is compared to Italy. “The pace is so much faster here,” he explained. “In Italy, the game is more about tactics and analysis planning to stop the other team. But here, it’s about playing your own style and taking the initiative.” From Depths to Heights.
Playing in what he calls “the best league in the world,” Vicario is living out a dream. And part of that dream became reality thanks to Ange Postecoglou. The Spurs boss had his eye on Vicario for a while—even when he was coaching Celtic. Once Ange landed the Spurs job, he made his move.
Postecoglou’s Influence
“He called me before I signed, and he already knew everything about me,” Vicario recalled. “That meant a lot. He talked about how I could impact the team, and I knew this was the right place. I made my decision right there.”
Beyond tactics, Vicario admires Postecoglou as a person. “He’s a great human being. The way he communicates, the way he teaches it’s special. I’ll always remember how he talks to the team. It’s inspiring.”
Learning ‘Angeball’
One of the biggest adjustments for Vicario has been learning to play out from the back something key to Postecoglou’s approach, often referred to as “Angeball.” “The main idea is to break the opponent’s press. You keep the ball to attract pressure, and then you find that killer pass to break through. Whether it’s a straight pass to the striker or a short one it’s all about timing and vision.”
Finishing Strong in a Tough Season
Even though it’s been a tough year, with Spurs sitting 16th in the table, Vicario is determined to help turn things around. “We take responsibility for how things have gone,” he said. “Our position isn’t good enough, and the fans deserve better. It’s painful, but we’re focused on finishing strong.”
With a Europa League semi-final still on the horizon, Vicario knows there’s something left to fight for. “We can’t change the past, but we can still make something of this season. From here on out, we need to give everything we’ve got.”
