Igor Tudor has defended his decision to substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Tottenham's 5-2 defeat at Atlético Madrid, insisting it was necessary to protect the 22-year-old. Kinsky, making only his second start of the season, was at fault for two of Atlético's early goals, slipping for the first and kicking the ball against his own leg for the third.
Tudor, Tottenham's interim head coach, described the substitution as 'my decision, of course,' and said he had never done such a thing in 15 years of coaching. 'It was necessary to preserve the guy, preserve the team,' he explained. 'Incredible situation, nothing to comment.'
Teammates Connor Gallagher, Dominic Solanke and João Palhinha followed Kinsky down the tunnel to offer support. Tudor added that he had spoken with Kinsky after the game, telling him he remains 'the right guy and a good goalkeeper.' The defeat extended Tottenham's losing streak to six matches, leaving them one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Tudor acknowledged the team's fragile state, saying: 'It was too much for us in this moment when we are fragile, when we are weak. I recognise what we are and which problems we have.' He also confirmed that Palhinha and Cristian Romero, who clashed heads late in the game, are doubts for Sunday's match against Liverpool.
