Tottenham fans leave after just 21 minutes with the horror show on the pitch ending in a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Two errors inside 17 minutes from Antonin Kinsky saw him subbed off in Spurs’ Champions League last-16 first-leg tie, after two slips gifted goals to Marcos Llorente and Julian Alvarez.
Igor Tudor started him over Guglielmo Vicario, having played just two games previously this term as Tottenham’s season to forget continues.
Micky van de Ven also presented a goal to Antoine Griezmann, while Robin le Normand added a fourth, then Pedro Porro pulled one back for Spurs.
Alvarez scored the La Liga club’s fifth after 55 minutes, then Dominic Solanke got a second goal for Tottenham on 76 minutes.
On a purely human level, that must be an incredibly difficult thing for Kinsky to deal with.
Can’t ever remember seeing anything like it before. I’m sure it has happened that early to a keeper but I can’t recall it.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) March 10, 2026
Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, speaking to TNT Sports, on if starting Kinsky was a mistake: “No, after you see what happened, it’s the wrong decision. But it was the right decision before.
“A change of competition, it was the right moment. Unfortunately, what happened, happened. I never changed a goalkeeper after 20 minutes.”
On if he has spoken to Kinsky: “We don’t need to comment. It’s not the moment to speak too much. It was a strange game, very strange game. We gave them three goals. We even started good then the problems kill us in three situations.
“Very, very strange. Very unusual. It took our confidence. We had an opportunity to make it 4-2 then we concede a goal for 5-1.
“We apologise to the fans and to everyone. It’s a difficult moment. Everything looks like going wrong. Small mistakes, we pay. Everything, unbelievable.
“Even this situation at the end, two players [colliding]. It felt like everything was going against us.”
On why things aren’t working: “I need to keep working. Not speaking too much, stay focused on the things we can do. It’s unbelievably difficult to explain all these things, the first time in my career that I saw these things, 15 years.
“I’m focused on the problems, the players also. We need to stay positive.”
On if he thinks board will stick with him: “It’s not about me. We need to stay calm. Less talking.
“Better less talking. Now is not the moment to try and give a big explanation.”
Tudor in his post-match press conference on his decision to start Antonin Kinsky and then replace him after 17 minutes: “It happens very rarely, I have been coaching 15 years and I never do this. It was necessary to do this, preserve the guy and the team. Incredible situation.
“Before the game it was right choice, in the moment we are in, pressure on Vicario. Tony [Kinsky] is a good goalkeeper. It was the right decision. After this, it is easy to say it’s not the right decision.
“I spoke to Tony afterwards – I said he is the right guy, a good goalkeeper, but unfortunately this happens in this big game, big mistakes. After that start to the game it was too much for us in this moment when we are fragile, weak.”
On his future: “This is a not a topic for me. It’s not about my job, but how to help the team. I am always thinking about that.
“I recognise what we are, which problems we have. Every game something happens. Sometimes very difficult to explain. I also see the wish of the players to do the right things. We started good, two or three minutes I feel we are in the game.
“But when these things happen, in the moment we are in, this happens. The pitch was the same for both teams.”
When asked if he thinks he deserves to keep his job: “No comment.”
On the clash of heads between Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha: “An example of the moment, it’s incredible. Already Micky [Van de Ven] is out [of Liverpool game] with a red card. It looks like everything is against us.”
Will either play on Sunday?: “I don’t know, we will see.”
Tomorrow’s back page of The Sun…
“KIN HELL!”#COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/dF2AMC0B2V
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) March 10, 2026
Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray: “It’s obviously a disappointing result. We didn’t help ourselves with the best start. It was difficult to come back into the game after that. We have to focus on the next game and the second leg after that.
“It’s difficult, mistakes happen, it’s part of football. Tony [Kinsky] is young. I have made mistakes, everyone has, especially when you are younger. When it costs goals it is disappointing. But he is strong mentally so he will get through this, he’ll be alright.
“We have got to take responsibility, what’s happened this game and in the Premier League. In quite a lot of games this season it’s been unacceptable. We have to take responsibility and push on.”
Tottenham defender Kevin Danso speaking to TNT Sports: “Anyone who watched the game, they will have seen three unlucky moments, three slips that gave them goals. We all know what kind of team Atletico are, they defended very well and after that it was very difficult to get into the game.”
On keeping spirits high: “It’s difficult but that is what he have to do. This is the moment to show what type of team we are. This has to make us, not break us. These are the moments everyone has to stand up and show their character. We can’t just talk and say it’s going to get better, it’s time everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and give more.
“It starts with working, getting our heads down and working on the pitch. We still managed to score two goals, created some chances.
“At home we need to show an abundance of character, take the game to them and turn it around.”
Atletico Madrid defender Matteo Ruggeri: “Especially the first 15, 20, minutes, it was crazy. We have a lot of new players, its also my first season. I’ve not been at his stage of the Champions League before. To start like that was amazing.
“We knew that Tottenham are not in their best form and are struggling, so it was our idea to start strong and attack them. Fortunately the mistakes came, we took the chances and scored goals.
“I’m a little bit sad to concede two goals, it was not necessary to concede them. It was our mistakes, we opened the pitch after 4-0. but of course we are still happy, you have to enjoy and be thankful for every win.
“It’s not finished, we need to play the second game. It’s not going to be easy there, playing away from home, but we have created a great opportunity for us to go through.”