Pedro Porro and Archie Gray say same thing about Antonin Kinsky after Tottenham blunders

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was subbed after just 17 minutes after gifting Atletico Madrid two goals following two crucial slips at the Wanda Metropolitano

Tottenham duo Pedro Porro and Archie Gray have both rallied around Antonin Kinsky after the young Czech was substituted after just 17 minutes following a horror show against Atletico Madrid.

Kinsky, who was making his Champions League debut for Spurs in place of Guglielmo Vicario, slipped to gift Atletico two of their opening three goals.

Igor Tudor was not willing to waste time and swiftly withdrew the goalkeeper, though he later claimed the brutal call was to protect the player.

Insisting it was his decision, not Cristian Romero's after the pair were spotted chatting on the touchline, 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. Incredible situation, nothing to comment.”

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Speaking to Spanish media, right-back Porro, who scored a consolation for the Europa League winners, issued a message of support for his team-mate.

"I want to send Kinsky a message of support," Spanish right-back Porro told Movistar Plus after Tuesday's 5-2 defeat. "This is a tough time for him. The kid has been working really well. When you get an opportunity like this, these things happen. Sometimes football is like that.

"I haven't been able to talk to him [Kinsky], but I'll give him a big hug when I see him. It [Kinsky's performance] reminds me of the slip I had in Scotland with Spain. Football is about getting back up."

Versatile midfielder Gray also refused to blame Kinsky, telling TNT Sports: "It's obviously a disappointing result. We didn't help ourselves with the best start. It was difficult to come back into the game after that. We have to focus on the next game and the second leg after that.

"It's difficult, mistakes happen, it's part of football. Tony [Kinsky] is young. I have made mistakes, everyone has, especially when you are younger. When it costs goals it is disappointing. But he is strong mentally so he will get through this, he'll be alright.

"We have got to take responsibility, what's happened this game and in the Premier League. In quite a lot of games this season it's been unacceptable. We have to take responsibility and push on."

Spurs are now bidding to overturn a three-goal deficit in next week's second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but first up, they have to try and get their Premier League survival bid back on track.

They travel to Liverpool on Sunday and could well be without captain Romero and midfielder Joao Palhinha due to concussion protocols, though they will be assessed, on top of suspended centre-back Micky van de Ven.