After the disappointment against North Macedonia, many see the PSG goalkeeper as one of the culprits and urge the national team coach to look elsewhere…
The common sentiment of the Italians can be summed up in an early morning tweet: “Good Sunday to all,” writes @1899Anonimo, “Is #VicarioTitolare already trending?” The question is provocative, but the answer would be… more yes than no.
After last night’s mistake against North Macedonia, Gigio Donnarumma has come under the scrutiny of national team fans, who are clamoring on social media for Vicario to be put in between the posts, given his excellent start to the season with Tottenham.
The feeling is that when Donnarumma wears the Azzurri jersey, he doesn’t perform at his best: “If you have the national team syndrome,” writes @luca_DeMichele on Twitter, “play someone in goal who doesn’t feel the pressure.” Attached to the comment, the user added a video featuring Vicario’s best saves in the Premier League. @yallatheo shares the same opinion: “Have courage, Spalletti, get Donnarumma out and bring in Vicario.”
After the mistake, again against Macedonia, which prevented Italy from qualifying for the World Cup, Donnarumma has been criticized for allowing a goal on the post he should have covered: “How can you be prepared for the free-kick with that posture,” comments @AndreaLongoni5, who posts a screenshot of Gigio at the moment of the shot. “Not even in training do you stand like that, like a lamppost.”
Amidst those calling for Vicario to be given a chance and those criticizing the former Milan player, there are also those who attempt to analyze Donnarumma’s current downturn. @AndrewBizzarri writes: “Talent alone is not enough. It needs to be nurtured, improved, and developed with a winning mentality.”
