Tudor says substitution protected Kinsky after early errors

Igor Tudor defended bringing Antonin Kinsky off in the 17th minute of Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat at Atlético Madrid, saying the decision was made to protect the 22-year-old goalkeeper. Kinsky, who started in place of Guglielmo Vicario, was withdrawn after two errors and was offered support by teammates Connor Gallagher, Dominic Solanke and João Palhinha as they left via the tunnel.

Kinsky slipped for the first goal, handing Atlético the ball inside his own area, and after Micky van de Ven’s slip for the second, Kinsky’s second mistake—kicking the ball against his own leg—left Julián Alvarez with an open goal to make it 3-0. Cristian Romero had appeared to be suggesting Tudor make the change, but the coach said: "my decision, of course" and added: "What happened is very rare.

I’ve been coaching for 15 years, I’ve never done this. It was necessary to preserve the guy, preserve the team.

igor tudor, antonin kinsky, tottenham, atlético madrid, guglielmo vicario, connor gallagher, dominic solanke, joão palhinha, julián alvarez, goalkeeper substitution