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Antonin Kinsky joined Tottenham Hotspur from Slavia Prague in January 2025 Antonin Kinsky has thanked those who have sent him messages of support on social media after a "nightmare" display in Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. The Czech goalkeeper was substituted after 17 minutes with Spurs trailing 3-0 in the Spanish capital, having made errors which led to Atletico's first and third goals. The Premier League side went on to lose the first leg of their last-16 tie 5-2. Kinsky posted on his Instagram story: "Thanks for the messages. From dream to nightmare to dream again. See you. " The 22-year-old was consoled by several team-mates as he made his way off the field. Spurs manager Igor Tudor, who had selected him to start ahead of Guglielmo Vicario, did not acknowledge Kinsky at the time but said in his post-match media conference that he had spoken with his goalkeeper afterwards. The former Croatia international said of the substitution: "It was necessary to preserve the guy and preserve the team. "It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment we are [in] - pressure on Vicario, another competition and Toni is a very good goalkeeper. "So it was, for me, the right decision. After, it's easy to say it was not the right decision. "I explained to Toni, speaking after, that he is the right guy and a good goalkeeper. Unfortunately, these mistakes happened in this big game. " How Kinsky's horror night unfolded before 17th-minute substitution 'Wrong person at wrong time' - but if not Tudor then who? 'Doomsday scenario' for Spurs after 'blows' - Van de Ven This video can not be played 'Incredible situation' - Tudor reacts to controversial Kinsky substitution Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about the early substitution, former England goalkeeper David James said: "The whole situation was very bizarre. "Had Igor Tudor known Antonin Kinsky for a longer period of time, then you think he would understand him and empathise with him in some way. "At 3-0 down after 16 minutes, Tudor was thinking about his future, which naturally you would. But without that relationship between them, he was thinking more about self-preservation. "If Kinsky has stayed on the field and Tottenham lost 7-0, that would have been a career-wrecker. As much as it will have hurt this morning, Kinsky will think better of it in the longer term. " Latest Tottenham news, analysis and fan views Ask about Tottenham - what do you want to know? Champions League: Reaction as Valverde hat-trick sinks Man City, PSG put five past Chelsea Havertz rescues Arsenal draw at old club Leverkusen Kinsky thankful for support after 'nightmare' Scot Squad's top cop deals with colleagues, bams and family alike How to manage caring for ageing parents Stacey returns for more life-changing decluttering The accidental origins of the English samurai 'Wrong person at wrong time' - but if not Tudor then who? The Brits travelling in their thousands to 'Costa del Cheltenham' The 'big brother' helping Arteta's Arsenal 'over the line' Fallout from first race since biggest rule changes - F1 Q&A Frozen out? The 'mixed' team event with one female player Four big calls Borthwick could make to revive England Old Firm chaos: What happened? Who said what? What now? Should lower-ranked teams always play at home in the FA Cup? India triumphant again - do the rest have any hope of catching them? Is time-wasting in the Premier League getting worse? 'Everything was groundbreaking' - 50 years since historic Cheltenham race Why is figure skating not in the Paralympics? Winter Paralympics daily guide: Three golds to be decided on Thursday 'England's style of play is tedious and doesn't allow players to express themselves' Was new-era F1 really racing or more like a computer game? Russell 'imperious' and Bearman 'raced beautifully' - driver ratings 'I saw a drone hit the US consulate' - Patten's escape from Dubai 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.