Tottenham’s Pedro Porro has come out in support of club teammate Antonín Kinsky after the Czech goalkeeper was replaced 17 minutes into his Champions League debut at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
Spurs were 3-0 down after only 15 minutes, with Atlético capitalising on two blunders by Kinsky, who was making his first start since October at the Metropolitano stadium.
“I want to send Kinsky a message of support,” Spanish right-back Porro told Movistar Plus after Tuesday’s 5-2 defeat. “This is a tough time for him. The kid has been working really well. When you get an opportunity like this, these things happen. Sometimes football is like that.”
After the game, Tottenham interim coach Igor Tudor defended his decision to replace Kinsky with first-choice Guglielmo Vicario.
Kinsky, 22, headed straight down the tunnel after being substituted in what was his third appearance for Spurs this season.
Porro recalled an episode during a 2024 European qualifying 2-0 defeat at Scotland in March 2023, when he slipped while trying to clear a ball and Scott McTominay profited to score Scotland’s opener.
“I haven’t been able to talk to him [Kinsky], but I’ll give him a big hug when I see him,” Porro said. “It [Kinsky’s performance] reminds me of the slip I had in Scotland with Spain.
“Soccer is about getting back up,” Porro added.
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Tuesday’s defeat was Tottenham’s sixth straight loss. Spurs are 16th in the Premier League, one point clear of the relegation zone. “We have to get back up because there’s no other choice,” Porro said. “We’re the ones who have to turn this around.”
Spurs play at Liverpool on Sunday before hosting Atlético on March 18 in the Champions League round of 16 return leg.
