A host of goalkeepers including Peter Schmeichel and Joe Hart have spoken out in support of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky after his horror performance in the Champions League round-of-16-clash against Atlético Madrid.
The 22-year-old, who was making his Champions League debut at the Wanda Metroplitano, made two high-profile errors early in the game that led to goals for Marcos Llorente and Julián Álvarez. Between these two strikes, Antoine Griezmann also got on the scoresheet after another defensive mistake to leave Spurs 3-0 down in 15 minutes.
Spurs boss Igor Tudor hauled Kinsky off after 17 minutes, bringing on first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario in his place. The Croatian said he did so to “preserve the guy,” but he has drawn criticism for the substitution.
Schmeichel had said on CBS’ coverage in the United States: “He substitutes him, that is going to have ramifications for the rest of his career. He’s absolutely killed his career.”
“When his name is mentioned in the future, the whole football world will remember this moment. He needed to be supported, at least until half-time.”
Commentating for the BBC, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson described Tudor’s decision to substitute Kinsky as “confidence-destroying” and added: “I have never seen that on a football pitch.”
Speaking on TNT Sports, former England goalkeeper Hart said: “My heart is absolutely broken for him [Kinsky].
“He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place.”
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Former Manchester United keeper David De Gea, now in Serie A with Fiorentina, offered his support for the young Spurs keeper.
De Gea wrote on his X account: “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.”
Vicario conceded two further goals as Spurs fell to a humbling 5-2 defeat in Madrid.
Information from PA contributed to this report.
