Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had a nightmare Champions League debut on Wednesday, being substituted after just 17 minutes in their last-16 first-leg tie at Atletico Madrid.
The 22-year-old Czech, signed from Slavia Prague in January 2025 for around £12.5m, made two early mistakes that led to goals. He slipped in the sixth minute, allowing Marcos Llorente to score, and a miskick gifted Julian Alvarez a third goal. Antoine Griezmann had also scored in the opening minutes.
Interim manager Igor Tudor replaced Kinsky with Guglielmo Vicario, who conceded again minutes later. Spurs eventually lost 5-2, with Pedro Porro scoring a late consolation.
Kinsky left the pitch visibly upset, supported by teammates Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, and Porro.
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Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson criticized Tudor’s decision. “It will be soul-destroying for Kinsky. I would not be surprised if he was in tears. The manager certainly has not helped his case,” he said.
Joe Hart added: “I’m heartbroken for the lad. He had a horrible 14 minutes — that slip and the third goal. This Tottenham team is all over the place.”
Peter Schmeichel told CBS Sports: “You’ve got to stick with him at least until half-time. He’s absolutely killed his career. I feel really sorry for him.”
David de Gea offered support on social media: “No-one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again.”
Tudor defended his choice: “My decision, of course. It is about how to help the team. It will always be about that.”
Spurs face a tough second leg on 18 March, with doubts mounting over Tudor after just 25 days in charge.