Nightmare Champions League debut: Tottenham goalkeeper substituted in the 16th minute after gifting two early goals

The Champions League round of 16 clash against Atletico turned into a true horror show for Tottenham’s young goalkeeper Antonín Kinský. Starting in one of the most important matches of the season, the Czech shot-stopper endured perhaps the most humiliating Champions League debut imaginable.

Details: At the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, 22-year-old Antonín Kinský suffered a personal tragedy. Given the starting spot by Igor Tudor for this Champions League playoff, the young keeper simply couldn’t withstand the pressure from the Madrid stands. By the 16th minute, Tottenham were already trailing 0–3, with two of those goals coming directly from the Czech’s glaring errors.

• See also: Norwich – Sheffield United: Can either side claim victory in this match?

The Spurs manager reacted with lightning speed and ruthless decisiveness. Realizing the youngster was completely rattled, Tudor made the tough call: Kinský was substituted in the 16th minute. It’s a rare sight in Champions League history for a goalkeeper to be replaced in the first half for purely sporting reasons, not due to injury. First-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario was urgently brought on, forced into the action with the team in crisis.

So far, even Vicario hasn’t been able to steady the ship—Tottenham conceded a fourth goal with him between the posts.

Reminder: Cristian Romero has made a final decision to leave Tottenham.