Interim Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor has defended his decision to substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into their 5-2 loss to 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 said: '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.' Kinsky was replaced after his second error, with teammates Connor Gallagher, Dominic Solanke and João Palhinha following him down the tunnel in support.
The defeat extends Tottenham's losing streak to six games, a club record, leaving them just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. Tudor explained his decision to start Kinsky over Guglielmo Vicario, citing the pressure on Vicario and the need to rotate. 'It was, before the game, the right choice,' he said.
Tudor acknowledged the team's fragile state: '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 added that the early substitution was his decision alone, despite defender Cristian Romero appearing to suggest the change.
On the availability of Palhinha and Romero, who clashed heads late in the game, Tudor said: 'I don't know, we are going to see. It is also an example of the moment. It's incredible.' Spurs face Liverpool on Sunday.
