Forget Kinsky: Spurs Fans Want ‘Awful’ Star ‘Deducted Wages’ After Loss vs Atletico

Tottenham Hotspur endured a disastrous night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash against Atlético Madrid, suffering a heavy defeat that left supporters stunned.

Expectations were already modest for Spurs, who have struggled domestically this season and are battling near the bottom of the Premier League table. However, few could have predicted just how quickly the match would spiral out of control.

Under manager Igor Tudor, Tottenham endured a nightmare opening as Atlético raced into a four-goal lead inside just 22 minutes. According to statistics from Transfermarkt, it was the second-earliest point in Champions League history that a team had fallen four goals behind.

Goalkeeper Antonín Kinský endured a particularly difficult evening, being blamed for two of Atlético’s early goals. His performance ultimately led to an unwanted place in the competition’s record books, as he became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to be substituted within the first 20 minutes of a match without suffering an injury.

Despite the disastrous start, Tottenham did manage to pull a goal back before half-time when defender Pedro Porro found the net to give the travelling side a brief moment of encouragement. However, the game could have taken an even worse turn shortly afterwards.

In the 38th minute, centre-back Micky van de Ven launched into a reckless challenge that left many observers shocked. The Dutch defender flew into a dangerous tackle that easily could have resulted in a red card. Referee leniency allowed him to remain on the pitch, but the incident drew widespread criticism from pundits and journalists.

Respected football writer Henry Winter was quick to condemn the tackle on social media, suggesting the defender was fortunate to escape punishment. He wrote that Van de Ven was “very, very lucky” and described the challenge as one that should have resulted in a sending-off.

Another journalist, James Benge, also weighed in, joking that clubs interested in signing the Dutch defender might reconsider if they watched his recent performances. His remark hinted that Van de Ven’s recent disciplinary issues could harm his reputation among potential suitors.

The match ultimately ended in a convincing 5-2 victory for Atlético Madrid, leaving Tottenham with an almost impossible task in the second leg. Spurs never looked capable of mounting a serious comeback despite having a numerical advantage on the field.

Van de Ven’s individual display also drew criticism from analysts. According to SofaScore, he finished the match with a rating of just 5.6. The defender was credited with one costly mistake that led directly to a goal and failed to register a single interception or block throughout the game, highlighting a difficult evening at the heart of Tottenham’s defence.

While some supporters showed sympathy for Kinský after his early substitution, frustration among fans was largely directed at Van de Ven. Many felt his performances this season have fallen well below expectations.

One angry supporter suggested the defender’s wages should be reduced due to what they described as “scandalous” displays throughout the campaign. Another fan claimed the Dutchman appeared to have mentally checked out of the club and argued that his defensive ability might be overrated.

Others pointed to his recent disciplinary problems, noting that he had already been sent off in Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in his previous appearance. Some supporters believe his latest reckless challenge shows a worrying pattern.

One frustrated fan even argued that Van de Ven’s once-positive reputation at Tottenham — highlighted by memorable moments such as his famous goal-line clearance against Athletic Bilbao — is now being damaged by repeated poor performances.

Another supporter insisted the tackle against Atlético should have resulted in a straight red card, while a final fan bluntly suggested the club should be prepared to keep the defender even if they are relegated, questioning his commitment to the team.

With Tottenham now facing a massive deficit heading into the second leg, the pressure is mounting on Tudor and his players to salvage some pride in the return fixture. For Van de Ven in particular, the coming matches could be crucial in rebuilding the trust of supporters who are growing increasingly frustrated with his recent displays.