Vicario on ‘fantastic’ Donnarumma and Tottenham changes | OneFootball

Guglielmo Vicario is ‘glad’ that Gianluigi Donnarumma ‘started well’ at Manchester City and admits some Tottenham changes have helped him keep four clean sheets in the first six games of the season.

Italy international Vicario opened up about his rapport with Gianluigi Donnarumma and analysed the opening stages of the new campaign in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Vicario: Donnarumma needs no advice

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Jeremy Doku (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Speaking about his compatriot Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City on deadline day, Vicario said: “Gigio already knows it. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper. I don’t need to give him advice. On the contrary, I’m happy I got to see him make his debut on Sunday. He had an outstanding game, and I’m glad he started well. I wish him the best. We’ll see each other with the national team. We always laugh and joke around, and we’re great friends. That’s our strength.”

Vicario made his Champions League debut earlier this week, seeing his Tottenham side beat Villarreal 1-0 in North London.

“It went really well. Great performance from everyone,” admitted the Italian keeper.

“It was important for me to finish the match with a clean sheet. The level in this competition is high. We knew we were facing a tough team that knows how to play football. We are happy to have started on the right foot.”

Vicario and Tottenham have kept four clean sheets in the opening six games of the season. How does he explain the team’s solidity so far this season?

Vicario on Tottenham changes in 2025-26

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“What has changed is being able to recognise the different phases of the game—understanding when we need to press high with intensity and when we need to cover the pitch better,” Vicario noted.

“In general, there’s more focus on defending the box, also because we have more clarity about the different movements without the ball.

“Against Villarreal, we allowed a few too many transitions, and we need to take away a bit of hope from the opponents when they go on counterattack. Overall, it was an excellent defensive performance as a team, and we have to keep going this way.”

Vicario argued that more changes have been made behind the scenes at the club, especially since Spurs won the Europa League in 2024-25.

“Winning surely gives you a different dimension, probably even in the eyes of others and a bit of healthy respect. We used to have this thing, even within the club, of being the ones who always got there but never managed to win,” he said.

“But now we’ve done it. That’s freed us up a little. We’ve taken a weight off our shoulders, so we can now move forward, aware of our strengths. And also with some goals, which we’ll keep to ourselves, but we absolutely want to achieve.”

Vicario has just started his third season at Tottenham. What are his targets going forward?

“Enjoying the moment without limits. Two years ago, I was playing for a small club in Italy [Empoli] that gave me so much,” he said.

“In two seasons, I managed to win a European competition. This year, there’s the desire to make up for things in the Premier League. The novelty of the Champions League for many of us is a new coach like Frank, who has brought great enthusiasm and different ideas that we’re trying to put into practice day by day with a lot of focus and involvement. There are many new things, many positive things. I’m convinced we have a great season ahead of us.”