Ange Postecoglou has admitted he’s ‘struggling’ with what’s happening to one Tottenham Hotspur player right now.
Tottenham’s defending from set-piece situations has come under the spotlight following Sunday’s North London Derby.
Spurs suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Arsenal, with their rivals netting twice from corners on the day.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned the first into his own net before Kai Havertz headed home for six yards out late in the first half.
One Spurs player who has received plenty of criticism following the game is Guglielmo Vicario.
While Tottenham’s struggles from set-pieces haven’t solely been down to the goalkeeper, it has become a noticeable weakness of his game.
Ever since Spurs’ 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup where Nathan Ake’s headed goal sent Spurs out of the competition, teams have targeted Vicario.
But Postecoglou has defended his £17 million signing and admitted that even he’s ‘struggling’ with what’s happened to Vicario in recent weeks.
Postecoglou on Guglielmo Vicario’s set-piece struggles
Speaking to Football.London ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Chelsea tomorrow, Postecoglou was asked about teams targeting Vicario.
“I think he’s seen that there’s a challenge,” the Spurs boss said. “It’s something that even I’m struggling with because I watched the Champions League last night and there was a foul given on the keeper straight away. We’re trying to get clarity on it.”
Vicario was targeted by Arsenal on Sunday and it’s fair to say that it worked for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Ben White was tasked with putting pressure on the Spurs goalkeeper. There was one incident where the Arsenal defender was even spotted messing with Vicario’s gloves.
For his side’s third of the day, White also backed into the Tottenham shot-stopper right before Havertz headed home.
Tottenham need to address set-pieces
After Sunday’s defeat, Spurs have now conceded 14 goals from set-piece situations this season.
It’s becoming a real problem for Postecoglou’s side and Tottenham may have to do more to protect their goalkeeper.
With that being said, Vicario simply has to be stronger in these situations and look to command his penalty area more often.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed an encouraging debut season but teams will continue to target him unless he improves this area of his game.
