Credit: Sky Sports News

James Barker

Fri 1 May 2026 9:10, UK

Antonin Kinsky isn’t going to let his infamous night in Madrid define his Tottenham Hotspur career, as he’s proven in a brave Sky Sports interview.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper endured one of the worst 17 minutes any shot-stopper could hope to experience on 10 March.

Multiple errors leading to goals saw him and Tottenham ship three to Atletico Madrid inside the opening 15 minutes of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.

Then-Spurs boss Igor Tudor went back on his decision to start Kinsky after just 17 minutes, sealing his humiliation by being substituted for Guglielmo Vicario.

That night could’ve easily been his final match for Tottenham, but the Czech has shown remarkable resilience and maturity to ensure that’s not been the case.

What has Antonin Kinsky said about Atletico Madrid display?

Kinsky understandably came in for heavy criticism for that night in Madrid, but Tudor also took a lot of heat for not only his decision to start him, but to then give him the cold shoulder as he dragged the youngster off.

It was a failure on his part in regards to the duty of care managers have to protect their own players, especially a young goalkeeper like Kinsky in that moment.

So many young shot-stoppers would’ve let a night like that derail their confidence, but Kinsky has proven he’s no average player in this regard.

Kinsky was excellent against Wolves last time out, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win at Molineux, whilst making two saves, preventing 0.60 goals, four recoveries and completing 79 per cent of his passes, per FotMob.

If that performance didn’t show he’s got the minerals to be Tottenham’s long-term answer in between the sticks, then his recent interview with Sky Sports News via X certainly does.

Speaking in this interview, which to even sit down and talk about that night not long after it happened speaks volumes of his character, Kinsky discussed his recollection of the game.

“(It wasn’t) a debut in the Champions League that I was dreaming of,” Kinsky said.

“After the game, yeah, I was sad that this happened. I was confused I think. Angry with myself.

“Upon me, it was just to keep going and make sure that when the next opportunity comes, I will be ready again.”

What has Roberto De Zerbi said about Kinsky?

With Vicario out injured, Roberto De Zerbi has put his faith in Kinsky over Brandon Austin to start in goal over the last few games.

His aforementioned display against Wolves has proven that to be wise decision by the Lilywhites boss, and Kinsky has honoured his own self-imposed standard about being ready for the next opportunity.

Speaking in an interview via Tottenham’s club website, De Zerbi waxed lyrical about Kinsky, clearly showing that he is his number one moving forward.

“He deserves this day, because he played very well, especially today,” said De Zerbi.

“He was crucial for the result. He deserves everything, because he’s a good guy, he’s a good goalkeeper, and especially after Madrid, he deserves a day like today.”