Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea's post about Antonin Kinsky being subbed after 17 minutes has instantly gone viral as Tottenham were run ragged by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. The Lilywhites found themselves three goals down in their Champions League Round of 16 tie within 15 minutes as interim manager Igor Tudor handed the 22-year-old goalkeeper his competition debut.
On reflection, dropping Guglielmo Vicario for his inexperienced understudy in such a high pressure match was perhaps not the wisest decision, given the north Londoners - who sit just a point above the relegation zone in the Premier League - need every ounce of confidence they can get right now. And after just 17 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, where Kinsky was to blame for two goals, the Croatian made the decision to replace his goalkeeper.
That did very little to stop the goals from flowing as, while Tottenham pulled two back through Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke, they also went on to concede two more in a 5-2 drubbing as Tudor and co. all but bid farewell to their Champions League campaign.
David De Gea Sends Message to Kinsky After Nightmare UCL Debut
Tottenham Antonin Kinsky
If there is anybody in the goalkeeping world who knows what it is like to go through hell but come out the other side, it is David De Gea, who had to step away from football after his contract ran out at Manchester United in 2023.
The Spaniard had completely lost his confidence before embarking on a redemption arc at Fiorentina, where he still plays in Serie A today. Offering some support for his fellow goalkeeper, the 35-year-old wrote on X (see his full post below):
"No one who hasn't been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again."
During his punditry duties with TNT Sports, Joe Hart - the former England and Manchester City shot-stopper - also shared his sympathy for Kinsky, while everyone on the panel agreed that Vicario should have started. But with his teammates and Atletico supporters showing him love as he made his way back to the dugout, the young goalkeeper should at least take some pride from that.
Igor Tudor's Decision-Making Amid Chaos at Tottenham is Puzzling
Igor Tudor
Igor Tudor
The Tottenham hierarchy's decision to hire Igor Tudor to stop the rot looks more and more baffling as the weeks go by. Since taking over from Thomas Frank, he has rarely stuck to a consistent game plan, and the identity of his football philosophy after four matches without victory remains murky at best.
Keeping some level heads on the bench - namely through defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha - hardly made any sense, nor does the tinkering with younger options. While he was initially expected to keep his position until the end of the season, the pressure is mounting for Spurs to change course again before their slide worsens.