Tottenham Hotspur coach Igor Tudor is under heavy criticism from the English sports public for replacing goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atletico Madrid.
Atletico won 5-2, and after 15 minutes of play they were 3-0 up. Of the three goals Tottenham conceded, two were the fault of their Czech goalkeeper, Kinsky.
Kinsky played in the Champions League for the first time this season last night, and only the third time in total since the summer, and that was already a big surprise for Tudor.
He explained that he did this because he wanted to remove first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from the goal, as he had been criticized recently.
Tudor quickly understood this decision and replaced Kinsky in the 17th minute. Tottenham fans and football fans in general are shocked that Tudor replaced the goalkeeper so early and especially that he did not greet or console him when he was substituted.
They point out that he ‘beat’ an already mentally damaged goalkeeper. And this after pushing him into the fire on one of the most difficult pitches, against a strong opponent and in the midst of an unprecedented crisis that is shaking Tottenham.
This is Spurs’ sixth consecutive defeat, something they have never done before. They are just one point above the relegation zone in the Championship. Tudor, brought in to save the season, missed their first four games.