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Following a disastrous opening period in Tottenham Hotspur's crushing 5–2 Champions League loss to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday evening, a "devastated" Antonin Kinsky is allegedly planning to seek a summer departure.
Igor Tudor made the shocking choice to elevate Kinsky to the starting lineup for Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 clash in Madrid following a challenging period for regular goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The experiment lasted just 17 minutes.
During that brief span, Kinsky handed Atlético two goals on a silver platter, gifting the ball to Julián Alvarez twice within the first 15 minutes. Between those errors, Micky van de Ven also slipped on the treacherous surface, allowing Antoine Griezmann a clear path to goal.
Down 3–0 within the first quarter-hour, Tudor had witnessed enough. A Champions League debut nightmare had scarcely started before Kinsky was withdrawn for Vicario. The interim boss didn't even acknowledge his dejected keeper, who is reportedly planning to pursue a loan departure from Spurs this summer, per The Telegraph.
A night to forget for Antonin Kinsky.
2 errors leading to goals and subbed off after 16 minutes. pic.twitter.com/gYiIhPRglc
Kinsky has allegedly been seeking a loan departure during the past two transfer periods without success. The 22-year-old only arrived at Spurs from Slavia Praha in January 2025 as emergency backup for the injured Vicario, initially impressing with his enhanced ball distribution (which unfortunately abandoned him on Tuesday).
The determined Czech shot-stopper was quickly benched once Vicario returned to full fitness and has been restricted to brief domestic cup outings. The Telegraph's coverage questions whether Kinsky will ever get another opportunity to feature for Spurs following his nightmarish performance.
Kinsky's Spurs colleagues are reportedly "stunned" by Tudor's choice. The Croatian manager's justification likely eased few worries.
Tudor's Weak Justification of Kinsky Selection
Tudor's Weak Justification of Kinsky Selection
"It was, prior to the match, the correct choice to make given our current situation, with the pressure on Vicario, different competition," Tudor maintained.
"Tony is an excellent goalkeeper. For me, it was the proper decision. Afterward, naturally, it's simple to claim it wasn't the right call. So I explained to Tony as well, speaking later: he's the right person and a quality goalkeeper.
"Regrettably, it occurred in this important match, these errors. He felt remorseful. The squad supports him, as do I. I spoke with him. He grasps the situation, he understands his substitution. As I mentioned, he's an excellent goalkeeper. We support him, we stand united. It's never about a single player. It occurred. It's the Champions League once more. We suffered from this opening period."
Vicario allowed two goals himself as Spurs were eventually sentenced to a 5–2 loss, the club's sixth consecutive defeat. Never in Tottenham Hotspur's 143-year existence have they lost six straight matches.
"It was overwhelming for us at this time when we're vulnerable, when we're struggling," Tudor mourned. "I acknowledge our current state and the issues we face. I recognize that every match brings something. Sometimes it's extremely hard to understand. When such incidents occur, given our present circumstances, sadly, that's reality. Even these unfortunate events happen, it reflects our current position."
Tudor Faces Criticism From Multiple Sources
Tudor Faces Criticism From Multiple Sources
Griezmann displayed no mercy during a brilliant individual performance for Atlético but provided some comfort after the match concluded.
"I believe it's unfortunate," the French striker told Canal+. "If the manager—the current one or someone else—begins with that goalkeeper, you must support them fully. Psychologically, it must be extremely difficult for the goalkeeper. It wasn't the optimal approach."
The response from the worldwide goalkeeper community was even more passionate.
Former Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea expressed his support for Kinsky at halftime, highlighting the special challenges faced by players in his role. Tudor, notably, was a tough center-back during his playing days.
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.
Joe Hart, formerly of Tottenham, expressed frustration on TNT Sports: "[He had] a few poor moments, but to pull him off in this circumstance and not even recognize the player? Every single Tottenham player experiencing this pain doesn't know how to react. How does that benefit him?
"It's a reality with keepers, you must accept you'll experience nights like this. Everyone does. [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Manuel] Neuer, [Peter] Schmeichel ... they've had such moments, but everything that occurred on top of it, he'll feel so unwanted regarding the management.
"You must be treated with humanity, just slightly. I understand the circumstances. This requires serious attention. Chaos occurs constantly in football. That was chaotic, perhaps he didn't manage it properly.
"I witnessed the entire bench's spirits sink. They're expressing, 'Don't worry, we support you.' It's the compassionate aspect. If you're unwilling to demonstrate it, that's when division begins."