Thibaut Courtois reveals message he sent to Antonin Kinsky after Spurs horror show
Thibaut Courtois has revealed he reached out to Antonin Kinsky following his catastrophic Champions League outing against Atletico Madrid.
Kinsky made his Champions League debut in Tottenham's crushing 5-2 defeat to Atletico on Tuesday.
He conceded three goals in the space of 15 minutes before Igor Tudor hooked him in the 17th minute, angering Joe Hart after he spotted an ugly detail in his ruthless substitution.
The Czech keeper has since broken his silence as he issued a message on social media.
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On Wednesday, the remaining first leg last-16 ties took place, including Real Madrid's impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester City.
Courtois shone in goal and even created his side's opening goal after picking out Federico Valverde.
After Real's win over Man City, the Belgian stopper spoke to the press and was asked about Kinsky's nightmare performance in goal.
The veteran goalkeeper told the 22-year-old to 'keep his head up' after revealing he sent him a private message following Tuesday's game.
"I sent that guy a private message," he told Ziggo Sport. "I know it's sh*t for him, but he's well surrounded by his club, so this will work out.
"I also made mistakes at Atletico and Chelsea. And when Messi once kicked two balls through my legs, I got a lot of flak too.
"It wasn't as bad as it was for him, but I know this is very difficult. I told him to see it as a learning experience. He has talent and needs to keep working hard. The fact that he was in goal also means the coach had a lot of confidence in him."
Tudor admits he made the wrong decision by starting Kinsky as Courtois didn't agree with the early substitution.
"That was a tough one, because he could easily have had another great match afterward and no one would talk about those blunders anymore," he added.
"But being a goalkeeper is just a difficult position. We're so vulnerable, which isn't always easy. If we make a mistake, it usually leads to a goal.
"I'd say: keep your head up. I know it's awful for him right now, but he's well supported at his club, so it will all work out."
Topics: Champions League, Thibaut Courtois, Tottenham Hotspur, Football
Nasir Jabbar