“Micky van de Ven fires outrageousTottenham message after ruthless Postecoglou call, could cause the turning point in their season
Micky van de Ven has reacted to an unexpected and bold decision made by Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, highlighting the Australian’s no-nonsense approach. Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 win over Qarabag at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening, though the scoreline belied the challenges they faced throughout the match.
The game took a dramatic turn after just eight minutes when Qarabag’s Radu Dragusin was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The Romanian defender, who was the last man back, was dispossessed by Tottenham’s Juninho, leaving the referee little choice but to show a red card. Despite this early blow to their opponents, Tottenham capitalized quickly, with Brennan Johnson netting the opener soon after.
Tottenham continued to control the game, and second-half goals from Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke sealed the victory. However, the 3-0 result didn’t tell the full story. Qarabag, despite being down to ten men, missed a penalty, had a goal ruled out for offside, and tested Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario several times. Vicario, who has faced some criticism since joining Spurs, proved his worth with a series of key saves, including a remarkable stop to deny Elvin Cafarguliyev. His shot-stopping ability was on full display, silencing his critics for the night.
But perhaps the most notable moment for Vicario came late in the game. With Son Heung-min being substituted, possibly due to injury, the 27-year-old goalkeeper was handed the captain’s armband for the remainder of the match, marking a significant moment in his Tottenham career.
Vicario took to Instagram after the game to express his pride, writing: “A day that I will not forget. The first one as captain, leading this great club, at home, in a European cup and more importantly getting the 3 points. Proud. This one is for those fans that are always by our side no matter what. [White heart emoji] @SpursOfficial.”
His post drew congratulations from several teammates, including Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Micky van de Ven, who commented, “Bravo Lungo,” acknowledging the goalkeeper’s impressive performance and leadership.
In the lead-up to Tottenham’s Premier League match against Manchester United, Postecoglou was asked about his decision to hand Vicario the captaincy during the Qarabag game. The manager praised the goalkeeper’s professionalism and leadership qualities, saying, “He’s been fantastic since the day he arrived. Criticism is just part of the nature of football these days. We’ve had a few players under the spotlight, and Vicario has been one of them. I included him in the leadership group this year because I’ve seen his growth. He’s a guy who’s always positive, works hard every day, even on his days off, and he’s a great example for everyone. He’s also a great human being. I thought he could add something to our leadership group. It’s great for him to get the armband, and I thought he rose to the occasion.”
Although Postecoglou affirmed Vicario’s place in the team’s leadership group, which also includes Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Cristian Romero, his decision to pass over Ben Davies for the captaincy raised some eyebrows. Davies, who has been at Tottenham for a decade, has been a consistent presence and a loyal servant to the club. However, Postecoglou’s choice to give the armband to Vicario signals a more pragmatic, performance-focused approach, where decisions are based on merit rather than sentimentality.
This decision could be seen as a sign of Postecoglou’s commitment to ushering in a new era at Spurs, prioritizing leadership on the pitch during crucial moments rather than leaning on long-serving players based solely on tenure. While it may have come as a shock to some, the move underscores Postecoglou’s belief that there’s no room for nostalgia in high-stakes football matches. With Vicario stepping up to the challenge, this may be the beginning of a new chapter for both the goalkeeper and Tottenham’s leadership structure.