Thibaut Courtois has come to the defence of Tottenham's Antonin Kinsky after his nightmare performance against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Courtois sent Kinsky a message on Instagram, blaming the pitch at the Wanda Metropolitano for the goalkeeping errors.
What happened?
Kinsky was substituted off after just 16 minutes, having made two costly errors that led to Atletico Madrid taking a 2-0 lead. The Czech shotstopper's worst moment came when he scuffed a kick, allowing Julian Alvarez to score an open goal.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper believes the pitch has caused problems for many teams, including his own. He said: "I think the pitch is causing more problems, not just for Tottenham or Atletico but for many teams that have played there."
Why it matters for Thibaut Courtois
Courtois knows what it's like to face criticism for goalkeeping mistakes, having taken flak after a match against Ajax. He said: "It's tough, it's mentally tough to keep going, you need the support of your team, to feel good again in training and to play well."
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor is under pressure after losing all four of his games in charge, including the 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Tudor admitted he made the wrong decision in bringing Kinsky into the fold, but felt it was the right call at the time.
What comes next?
Courtois suggested that Kinsky may have been able to regain some confidence with a few great saves, but instead he was hauled off by Tudor. The Belgian goalkeeper's comments will be seen as a show of support for his fellow goalkeeper, who is likely to face more criticism in the coming days.
On Tuesday night, Kinsky's errors proved costly for Tottenham, who went on to lose 5-2. The Londoners are struggling to find form under Tudor, and the pressure is mounting on the Croatian manager.
Courtois's message to Kinsky will be seen as a kind gesture from one goalkeeper to another. The Real Madrid star knows what it's like to face adversity, and his comments will be welcomed by Kinsky as he looks to bounce back from his horror show.
The Wanda Metropolitano pitch has been blamed for many goalkeeping errors in the past, and Courtois's comments will add fuel to the debate. The pitch has been criticized for its uneven surface and unpredictable bounce, making it difficult for goalkeepers to make saves.
Tottenham will look to bounce back from their defeat when they face their next opponent. The Londoners need to find form quickly, or they risk falling further behind in the league. For Kinsky, the task will be to regain his confidence and prove himself as a capable goalkeeper.
The 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid was a tough pill to swallow for Tottenham, but they will look to learn from their mistakes and move on. Courtois's comments will be seen as a positive gesture, and his support for Kinsky will be welcomed by the goalkeeping community.