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Here's every single word the interim Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the Champions League horror show at Atletico Madrid

Igor Tudor had to explain his decision to select Antonin Kinsky and then haul him off just 16 minutes after a remarkable double gaffe in Tottenham's 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16.

Tudor had brought the 22-year-old in for Guglielmo Vicario but the young Czech keeper gifted Atletico their opener inside the Metropolitano just six minutes in. Kinsky slipped onto his backside on the rain-hit turf as he went to pass the ball and ended up hitting it straight to Ademola Lookman on the edge of the box. He passed inside to Julian Alvarez and the former Manchester City man teed up Marcos Llorente to score.

Spurs players were slipping all over the sodden grass and Micky van de Ven was next to go over on 14 minutes. The Dutchman tumbled to the deck to allow Pape Matar Sarr's pass to roll through to Antoine Griezmann and the experienced Frenchman ran through to beat Kinsky with ease.

While those two goals could be chalked up to slips, the third two minutes later was simply a horrendous gaffe from Kinsky. He scuffed a simple pass in his box just a yard in front of him to Alvarez, who ran on and poked the ball into the empty net.

Tudor had seen enough and called for Vicario to replace his replacement. Things got worse after 22 minutes. Vicario made a reflex save to stop Sarr's header flying into his own net from a Griezmann free-kick, but Robin Le Normand headed the loose ball over the line.

Spurs did hit one goal back four minutes later as Richarlison cut inside and found Pedro Porro, who struck a low shot into the bottom left corner.

However, Atletico got a fifth goal just 10 minutes into the second half. Richarlison saw his header saved brilliantly at one end by Jan Oblak only for the hosts to break up the pitch with Alvarez running through, Porro unable to keep up, and the attacker slotted home clinically.

Dominic Solanke did hit another back for Spurs with a powerful effort after Oblak hit his own poor kick straight to Porro and the right-back found the striker to smash home.

Spurs ended the game with nine men on the pitch after Joao Palhinha and Cristian Romero both had to go off following a clash of heads in added time. Both men could miss Sunday's trip to Liverpool and more crucial games if they are found to have concussion.

The final whistle blew soon after, marking the first time Tottenham have suffered six consecutive defeats in their entire history.

Here's every word Tudor said in his press conference about the chaotic encounter in Spain.

Can you explain what happened with the two goalkeepers, the first decision to drop Vicario and then the second one to take off Kinsky?

It happened very rare things in my coaching 15 years, I never do that. It was necessary to preserve the guy, to preserve the team. Incredible situation, nothing to comment, you will see. It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment like we are. Pressure on Vicario, another competition, Toni is a very good goalkeeper. So i was, for me, the right decision. After this, of course, it is easy to say that it was not the right decision.

I explained to Toni, also speaking after, that he is the right guy and a good goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it happened in this big game, these mistakes.

We started the game, it was too much for us. In this moment, when we are fragile, we are weak. Even the second half was 4-2, it was almost 4-2 with Richarlison. We tried to score a goal in 4-2 and then we conceded the goal.

Are you worried about your job?

It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.

Cristian Romero came over to you before Kinsky was taken off, did he ask for him to come off or was it your decision?

My decision, of course.

Do you feel this is becoming an impossible job for you?

I am not taking it that way. I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain. I see also the wish of the players to do the right things. We started good, let's say. These two or three minutes, I feel it during the game. These things, when they happen, what I said before, in the moment where we are now, unfortunately, it is like that. Even these slippery things happen, it explains the moment, because they didn't do it. The pitch was the same for both teams.

I know you said your future is not a topic for you, but obviously it has been a very difficult start to your time at Tottenham. You have lost all four games, do you think you deserve to carry on as a manager?

No comment.

Romero and Palhinha, at the end, are they both concussed after that collision?

Also, an example of the moment. It is incredible. It is incredible. We finished the game and we see the two players and there is Micky [Van de Ven], who is out with a red card. Sometimes it is difficult to explain. It looks like everything is against us. Incredible things.

So you are expecting both of them now to be out?

I don't know. We will see. I don't know.

How was Kinsky in the locker room when he was substituted, was he emotional?

He was sorry. He made an excuse for the team. The team is with him. Me too. I was speaking with him. He understands the moment. He understands why he came out. So, as I said before, he is a very good goalkeeper. We are all together. It is not about one player. So, it has happened. Champions League again. These things.

Where do you go from here, you play Liverpool on Sunday, what do you do from now?

I try to do my best, what a coach needs to do.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in their Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday

There was only pain in the rain in Spain for Tottenham's inconsolable goalkeeper Antonin Kinksy as he was hauled off just 16 minutes into his debut in the Champions League proper after a remarkable double gaffe.

Spurs interim boss Igor Tudor had brought the 22-year-old in for Guglielmo Vicario for the last 16 clash against Atletico Madrid, with Kinsky seen as better with his feet than the Italian. That assessment fell to pieces with the young Czech keeper as he gifted Atletico their opener inside the Metropolitano just six minutes in.

Kinsky slipped onto his backside on the rain-hit turf as he went to pass the ball and ended up hitting it straight to Ademola Lookman on the edge of the box. He passed inside to Julian Alvarez and the former Manchester City man teed up Marcos Llorente to score.

Spurs players were slipping all over the sodden grass and Micky van de Ven was next to go over on 14 minutes. The Dutchman tumbled to the deck to allow Pape Matar Sarr's pass to roll through to Antoine Griezmann and the experienced Frenchman ran through to beat Kinsky with ease.

While those two goals could be chalked up to slips, the third two minutes later was simply a horrendous gaffe from the young Spurs goalkeeper. He scuffed a simple pass in his box just a yard in front of him to Alvarez, who had time to glance over at Kinsky as the keeper slumped to the turf with his hands on his head, before poking the ball into the empty net.

Tudor had seen enough and called for Vicario to replace his replacement. Kinsky walked off the pitch and straight down the tunnel, chased by Spurs substitutes Dominic Solanke, Conor Gallagher and Joao Palhinha as they attempted to console him.

Believed to be watching over it all was former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, a guest of Atletico as the USA coach kept an eye on their midfielder Johnny Cardoso ahead of the World Cup. The Argentine was returning to the scene of Tottenham's Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019 and it was the first time he had watched his old club from the stands since.

The 54-year-old had been serenaded by Spurs fans on his flight to Madrid on Wednesday as they called for him to return to north London this summer. He would have seen the size of the task at the relegation-threatened club first hand.

Things only got worse for his old club after 22 minutes. Vicario made a reflex save to stop Sarr's header flying into his own net from a Griezmann free-kick, but Robin Le Normand headed the loose ball over the line.

Spurs did hit one goal back four minutes later. Good work from Richarlison culminated in the Brazilian cutting inside and finding Pedro Porro, who struck a low shot into the bottom left corner.

However, Atletico got a fifth goal just 10 minutes into the second half. Richarlison saw his header saved brilliantly at one end by Jan Oblak only for Atletico to break up the pitch with Alvarez running through, Porro unable to keep up, and the attacker slotted home clinically to heap further misery on the north London side in a wretched night in Spain.

Dominic Solanke hit another back for Spurs with a powerful effort after Oblak hit his own poor kick straight to Porro and the right-back found the striker to smash home.

Spurs ended the game with nine men on the pitch after Palhinha and Romero both had to go off following a clash of heads in added time. Both men could miss Sunday's trip to Liverpool at the very least if they are found to have concussion.

The final whistle blew soon after, marking the first time Tottenham have suffered six consecutive defeats in their entire history.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings from the defeat:

Antonin Kinsky

An absolute horror show for the young Czech. Slipped to hand Atletico their opening goal, couldn't stop Griezmann's second and then there was no excuse for the scuffed kick that allowed Alvarez to stroll through and score the third. Not a single thing to give him a mark for. 0

Kevin Danso

All over the shop with the defence in the chaotic first half and looked to have suffered an ankle injury in the first half but ran on. 4

Cristian Romero

Back in the team and was unable to prevent the carnage around him. Came over to have a long chat with Tudor before Kinsky was taken off. He sent a header against the right-hand post in the first half. Came off in the final seconds with what looked like concussion after a clash of heads with Palhinha. 5

Micky van de Ven

Slipped for the second goal and never really looked comfortable throughout. 4

Pedro Porro

Had a tough night with Lookman at one end but contributed at the other. He fired home a low effort into the net in the first half and set up Solanke to score in the second. Tried to chase back with Alvarez for Atletico's fifth goal but knew he was never going to make it. 7

Archie Gray

Fought away in the centre of the pitch but Spurs were chasing shadows whenever the hosts broke. 5

Pape Matar Sarr

Saw his pass go straight to Griezmann after Van de Ven's slip and almost scored an own goal but for Vicario's save, with the ball knocked in by Le Normand anyway. Never really looked to have the rhythm of the game with some loose touches. 4

Djed Spence

Aside from a couple of nice touches he offered very little throughout the encounter. 4

Randal Kolo Muani

Offered even less and came off at half-time. 3

Richarlison

Did well to get the ball to Porro for Spurs' first goal and then had a header saved superbly by Oblak. A daft booking means he will miss the second leg though. 6

Mathys Tel

Looked promising early on but faded out of the first half and was taken off at the break. 5

Subs

Guglielmo Vicario

Unfortunate with the fourth goal as he saved the initial effort and almost saved the follow-up. Made a couple of good saves after that in a match he was not meant to play in. 6

Dominic Solanke

Made it goals in three consecutive games with his powerful finish in the second half. 6

Conor Gallagher

Gave Spurs some fresh legs if little extra quality. 5

Joao Palhinha

Came on for 20 minutes or so before having to leave the pitch following that clash of heads. 5

Xavi Simons

After Antonin Kinsky's horrific performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the Tottenham players' reactions to Igor Tudor spoke volumes

Igor Tudor may have snubbed Antonin Kinsky but Cristian Romero and the Tottenham Hotspur players rallied behind the stricken goalkeeper. Things could not have gone worse for Spurs' No. 2 shot-stopper, who was given the nod to face Atletico Madrid ahead of Guglielmo Vicario.

Kinsky, 22, conceded three goals in a disastrous 14-minute period, of which two of those were of his own making. Tudor completed the Czech's embarrassment when he substituted him in the 15th minute and brought on Guglielmo Vicario, who was dropped in the Spanish capital, while Spurs were 3-0 down.

But when his evening at the Wanda Metropolitano looked like it could not get any worse, Tudor coldly snubbed the youngster as he trudged off the pitch. However, while the Tottenham manager did not even acknowledge him, the same could not be said of the Spurs players.

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Before Kinsky left the pitch, Spurs captain Romero gave him a hug, before defender Kevin Danso did the same thing while offering some words of encouragement. When Kinsky stormed down the tunnel, on the verge of tears, Tottenham substitutes Joao Palhinha, Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke followed him along with Dean Brill, a Spurs member of staff.

Their empathetic reactions and determination to ensure Kinsky did not feel alone was a stark contrast to Tudor, who barely looked at the Czech star as he walked off the pitch. The aforementioned Spurs stars did not appear to be the only ones playing in black to have noticed Tudor's cold reaction.

Djed Spence appeared to make a point to the Croatian when he was substituted. Initially, the England international walked past Tudor without acknowledging the interim boss.

However, the ex-Middlesbrough defender then stopped in his tracks, u-turned, walked behind Tudor and then tapped him on the shoulder, to acknowledge him, before heading to the bench. It's possible Spence was making a point to the North Londoners' boss about his lack of acknowledgement towards Kinsky.

The Tottenham players would have surely seen Tudor's lack of empathy as Kinsky left the field, close to tears. In his pre-match interview, when asked about his decision to deploy Kinsky ahead of Vicario, Tudor's response was vague and not exactly complimentary to the 22-year-old.

There was no mention of any good performances from Kinsky in training or any other explanation as to why he was given the nod ahead of Vicario. Instead, Tudor said: "I chose today what I think is best for team in this moment. Today, there are five changes, but the game is long. There is space for everyone.”

The biggest positive for Tottenham is the damage was only confined to 5-2. Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke's goals at least mean the La Liga giants are within some sort of range ahead of the second leg next week.

Before they can think about that clash, Tottenham face Liverpool this weekend, in what looks like an ominous clash for Tudor, given how close Spurs are to the relegation zone.

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after 16 minutes following a nightmare performance in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid

David De Gea and Joe Hart both had sympathy for Antonin Kinsky after the Tottenham goalkeeper endured a disastrous 16 minutes against Atletico Madrid.

Spurs interim head coach Igor Tudor made the bold call to hand Kinsky, 22, his first start since October for their Champions League last-16 first leg at Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Kinsky’s opportunity to impress turned into a horror show after he slipped to allow Marcos Llorente to score after six minutes before he conceded again in the 14th minute, but worse followed 92 seconds later when his scuffed kick allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball into the empty net.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero walked over to Tudor before Atletico could kick-off again and Kinsky’s number was held up for the fourth official moments later with usual first-choice Guglielmo Vicario introduced.

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Speaking on TNT Sports, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said: “My heart is absolutely broken for him (Kinsky).

“He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place.”

Former Manchester United keeper David De Gea, now in Serie A with Fiorentina, offered his support for the young Spurs keeper.

De Gea wrote on his X account: “No one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again.”

Romero and Kevin Danso hugged Kinsky as he left the pitch and the Czech goalkeeper walked straight down the tunnel.

Spurs substitutes Joao Palhinha, Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke raced after Kinsky along with staff member Dean Brill following a chastening night in Madrid for the young goalkeeper in only his 13th appearance for the Premier League club.

Commentating for the BBC, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson described Tudor’s decision to substitute Kinsky as “confidence destroying” and added: “I have never seen that on a football pitch.”

The youngster was taken off by interim head coach Igor Tudor just 17 minutes into the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid

TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist says that Igor Tudor's decision to substitute Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes following the concession of three early goals to Atletico Madrid means his Tottenham career is effectively finished. The young goalkeeper had endured a nightmare spell at the Wanda Metropolitano before being withdrawn.

Spurs opened the game in horrendous fashion, with Kinsky - in for the dropped Guglielmo Vicario - slipping to hand the ball on a plate to Marcos Llorente to open the scoring after just six minutes.

Micky van de Ven then slipped to hand the hosts an opening in the 14th minute, with Antoine Griezmann eventually doubling the lead.

And just a minute later, Kinsky lost the ball again, with Julian Alvarez this time the beneficiary as he tapped into an empty net.

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It was the last straw for Tudor, who immediately elected to bring on Vicario. It was a decision which could signal the end of Kinsky's Spurs career, according to McCoist.

"Finished. It'll finish him," McCoist said. "There's no way back. Absolutely [that's on the manager]. You can make an argument he's got to do it as well, though, because you cannot make mistakes like that - they're schoolboy errors.

"It's proved he's made a mistake in changing the goalkeeper. That's an absolutely remarkable 14 minutes. The thing is, Atletico Madrid haven't even been asked to work for their goals.

"They've not been cut open, not played great football, played through them; they've been handed them on a plate. I feel for him. You can say what you like. Two horrendous errors. Was he right taking him off? Possibly. That doesn't make it - [Tudor] can't have any emotion for the lad, it's a disaster for him."

Things did not get better after that for Spurs, however, who found themselves 4-0 down after just 22 minutes.

Spurs conceded a free-kick on their left flank, with the ball being whipped into the danger area. Vicario initially made a great save from a flick-on, but Robin Le Normand was on hand to force the ball in as the referee signalled that the ball had fully crossed the line.

There was the slight chance of a lifeline as Pedro Porro grabbed a goal to make it 4-1 after good work down the left from Richarlison.

But it remains to be seen whether that will be too little, too late, in a Champions League tie which may already have gotten away from Spurs.

Igor Tudor hauled off Antonin Kinsky after the Tottenham second keeper's horror show against Atletico Madrid.

The No. 2 shot-stopper was given the nod to face Diego Simeone's side after Tudor opted to drop Guglielmo Vicario for the Champions League clash. It was a huge decision from the Spurs interim manager, given Kinsky's inexperience at the highest level of football.

It took barely six minutes for Tudor's massive call to backfire. Kinsky slipped as he went to make a clearance and could only watch as the ball was shovelled onto Marcos Llorente, who then placed a low finish into the bottom corner. He had barely processed his first error before he was picking the ball out of the net again, as Micky van de Ven slipped at the worst possible time, allowing Antoine Grizemann to double Atletico's lead.

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Kinsky's nightmare only proceeded to get worse. After receiving a back pass from Van de Ven, he tried to sweep the ball out to the right hand side of the pitch, but scuffed his effort horribly, allowing Julian Alvarez to take the ball and pass into an empty net.

Tudor then ended the 22-year-old's evening by hauling him off and introducing the dropped Vicario from the bench. Kinsky looked devastated as he trudged off the pitch and stormed down the tunnel while accompanied by one of Tudor's coaches.

Vicario's introduction did not stop the Atletico goals, as Robin Le Normand bundled in a fourth for the home side. While Kinsky was the one who made the mistakes, the bulk of the blame will lie with Tudor, according to TNT Sport commentator Ally McCoist.

After the Spurs boss took him off, McCoist said: "Finished. It'll finish him. There's no way back. Absolutely [that's on the manager]. You can make an argument he's got to do it as well, though, because you cannot make mistakes like that.

"They're schoolboy errors. It's proved he's made a mistake in changing the goalkeeper. That's an absolutely remarkable 14 minutes.

"The thing is, Atletico Madrid haven't even been asked to work for their goals. They've not been cut open, not played great football, played through them; they've been handed them on a plate."

Before the match, Tudor was rather vague about his decision to not deploy Vicario against Diego Simeone's side.

When asked about the goalkeeper change, he said: "I chose today what I think is best for team in this moment. Today, there are five changes, but the game is long. There is space for everyone.”

The only positive of the first half was Pedro Porro finding the net for Tottenham, four minutes after Le Normand's goal. Tottenham face Atletico in the second-leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday March 18.

Here's the confirmed Tottenham team that Igor Tudor has named to take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night

Igor Tudor has made four changes to his Tottenham team to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night.

The interim head coach admitted on Monday that Spurs' priority this season must be Premier League survival as the north London club sit just a point above the drop zone with nine games to go. Tudor admitted that the game against Diego Simeone's side was something of a free hit to try some new things with that focus on the Premier League.

Tudor had already confirmed that Richarlison would get his first start under him, with Dominic Solanke on the bench, perhaps with the trip to Liverpool on Sunday in mind. Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani start either side of the Brazilian.

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The Croatian now has enough fit centre-backs to play his favoured back three properly with the right people in the right positions, with captain Cristian Romero back in action after his four-game Premier League suspension.

Djed Spence is also back from injury and takes his place as left wing-back with Souza and Yves Bissouma not registered to play.

In goal, 22-year-old Antonin Kinsky starts in goal in place of Guglielmo Vicario for his first Champions League start beyond his previous qualifying round experience.

In the midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr start in a young midfield pairing with Xavi Simons, Conor Gallagher and Joao Palhinha all on the bench.

Here's the team Tudor has selected for the game in Spain:

Tottenham face Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie as Spurs seek European relief from their Premier League relegation battle.

Temporarily putting aside their Premier League relegation battle, beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur head to the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday for the opening leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash with Atletico Madrid. Despite their domestic struggles, Spurs have excelled in European competition, securing fourth place in the league phase and surpassing household names including PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea.

They achieved five victories, amongst them impressive 2-0 triumphs over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Whilst continental football has provided Tottenham with some much-needed relief—reminiscent of Ange Postecoglou's memorable second campaign—their league form has been catastrophic. Thursday's 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace saw Igor Tudor's team establish a club record of 11 successive Premier League matches without victory, positioning them merely a point clear of the bottom three.

Following five consecutive defeats across all competitions, three of which have come under Tudor, questions are intensifying regarding his position, although he will oversee this demanding opening leg. Atletico Madrid, who concluded three points and ten positions beneath Spurs in the league phase, navigated a dramatic play-off against Club Brugge, eventually advancing 7-4 on aggregate following a 4-1 home victory driven by an Alexander Sorloth hat-trick.

Traditionally renowned for their defensive resilience, Atletico finished the league phase with the poorest defensive record amongst the top 16 sides, shipping 15 goals, and recent displays suggest their backline problems remain. They have let in five goals across their last two fixtures—a 3-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona (made irrelevant by their first-leg cushion) and a 3-2 La Liga triumph over Real Sociedad.

Despite their defensive frailties, Atletico have claimed victory in their last four home fixtures, netting at least three goals in each. Nevertheless, their sole previous competitive encounter with Tottenham concluded in a comprehensive defeat, as Spurs prevailed 5-1 in the 1963 Cup Winners' Cup final, with Jimmy Greaves netting twice.

Nearly 63 years on, a repetition of that scoreline appears highly improbable, but Tottenham will be hoping their European form can offer some respite from their domestic troubles as they pursue a fourth successive Champions League win and a sixth clean sheet in seven tournament fixtures.

Atletico vs Tottenham Prediction

Atletico to win to nil - 9/5 ( William Hill )

Under 2.5 goals - 17/20 ( William Hill )

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Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid will do battle at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night in their Champions League last of 16 first leg clash and football.london will be bringing you all the action from Spain.

Spurs might be struggling in the Premier League and facing a relegation battle back home but they have once again enjoyed far better times in Europe this season. Their top four finish in the big league phase in the Champions League shot them through to the round of 16 where they now meet Diego Simeone's Atletico side.

The first leg is being played at the Metropolitano on Tuesday evening with Igor Tudor expected to make changes to his Tottenham side after admitting that Premier League safety is the priority in the weeks ahead. Captain Cristian Romero is back though after his four-game Premier League suspension.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is out in Madrid. Scroll down for all of his latest updates and insights from the match and its build-up.

Here's a behind the scenes piece with Tottenham Hotspur as football.london covers their time in Madrid and their Champions League tie

Igor Tudor's boat has become a talking point in recent days as the interim Spurs head coach navigates a course to end his losing start to life at the helm.

He declared after the defeat to Crystal Palace that you were either on his boat or off it. Some might suggest that HMS Tottenham Hotspur is in danger of sinking so various players might just be leaping into lifeboats. The Croatian is expected to change up his starting line-up in Madrid on Tuesday night with Premier League survival the priority but it could still reflect who he believes wants to be on his floating vessel.

When football.london put that to Tudor in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night, he seemed a bit coy about naval analogies and had mentally prepared to answer a team news question that wasn't really asked.

"First of all, as you know, I never said, but the players who are in this position, I saw this morning in training, so we are happy that Romero is back, Djed is back, Bissouma is not and Souza, because of the rules of the Champions League," he said.

"So the players are coming back, that's important, because it's the first time that I'm here and we'll have, let's say, available the players to play in defence, the players who usually play.

"So in the whole three games, we missed the players on their positions, and we missed the players who are usually playing. So, beautiful game to play tomorrow, against a totally different competition than the Premier League. It's a good experience from this season, past games. So, let's see what happens tomorrow."

Yet later on the Tudor boat did float back into view.

"I saw that more the time has passed, the sessions are always better, there's more quality in everything. Especially because important players are coming back in the team. So that's the key, of course. As I said before, lots of old habits, sometimes take more time than you expected to change," said the 47-year-old.

"This is also very interesting. This is the thing we are speaking about, me with the staff every day, how fast we can make the changes. Sometimes it's not easy. It's still a good effort, which usually we are not able to do.

"When I'm speaking about changes, when I'm speaking about boats, when I'm speaking about that, because it's not easy to change the things you are doing for months or for a year. So, something is moving."

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One player who appears to be on the boat is Pedro Porro. The Spaniard took his frustration about all things Tottenham out on his dugout seat after raging at the fourth official as he was substituted in that Palace defeat. The right-back was at pains to make sure nobody thought he was imagining his seat was Tudor.

He smiled when football.london brought up the battered chair before saying with a grin: "You want me to respond in English or Spanish?"

He proceeded in his native tongue, explaining: "It was my own reaction and I just want to make it clear it was not about the manager. I am a player who gives it all on the pitch, 200 per cent and we never like losing. It is just about that. So, just to end all the speculation that it was about the manager. It is a situation, we have never seen ourselves in this situation and it was just my reaction."

Normally at manager and player joint press conferences it is the coach who will face most of the questions but back in his homeland it was Porro who had the bulk aimed at him.

The defender was keen to back Tudor at every opportunity although the duo did look like what they are, two people thrown together who do not know each other very well yet.

Tudor confirmed Richarlison will start for the first time under him, but would not say in what position. Porro leaned in and quipped: "Centre-back no?"

Tudor took a moment to get the joke, although it was quite a topical one with Porro himself and Joao Palhinha drafted in to play out of position there in recent weeks under the Croatian.

Other changes could happen with Cristian Romero finally back in the fold against the team and manager Diego Simeone who openly courted him last summer before the defender signed that bumper new contract.

The World Cup winner will be the difference-maker, according to both Spurs men at the press conference.

Djed Spence could return to the left wing-back role if fit enough and perhaps even Antonin Kinsky could play his first proper Champions League game to gain some experience.

One player who will be very notable by his absence or inclusion will be Xavi Simons. The Dutchman is someone who wears his emotions on his face in every moment and he will not have been impressed by his lack of real involvement or improvement under Tudor.

Some take Xavi's emotions as sulking when he makes his feelings clear but those around him claim that with his Barcelona and PSG upbringing it has been drilled into him to be ambitious and never accept failure.

Spurs are lacking in creativity yet the 22-year-old has been a marginal figure under the new head coach and is yet to play in a more natural central position when he does start.

Xavi has only been in English football for five months. Tottenham are used to their creative players starting slowly. It took Luka Modric and Christian Eriksen months to find their feet and even Gareth Bale, who only moved from Southampton, went on that long winless run when he first arrived.

Xavi shows all the inconsistency of someone still adapting to a new style of football and it's even worse at a club that is struggling.

Yet he does try to drive the team on. He did it against Palace when he eventually got on the pitch, winning numerous free-kicks around the opposition box.

The Netherlands international is desperate to keep improving. He has his own data analyst and video analyst, as well as a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer and even a mindset coach.

He has been spotted at Hotspur Way on days off, looking to train and improve himself physically for the Premier League's tougher challenge.

Xavi has turned up in some of the bigger games for Spurs, like the draw with Manchester City and he got back- to-back man of the match awards in the Champions League.

In Europe this season, he has an 86% passing accuracy with more runs into key areas (16) than other Premier League playmakers like Florian Wirtz (15), Eberechi Eze (9) and Martin Odegaard (8), albeit the latter missed three games in the competition through injury.

Xavi has made more passes into the penalty area with 18 than Bruno Fernandes and Wirtz for example and his dribbling, tackling and ball recovery stats rank higher than many of his Premier League counterparts as well as distance covered.

Spurs have won only three games in all competitions when Xavi has started on the bench and he ranks top for chances created at the club.

His goals and assists need to improve with just two and five respectively, but there's little doubt Xavi makes an impact beyond that in the way the team pushes up the pitch. That's so key in a shot-shy team suffering from the long term absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

One player set to finally make his mark at Tottenham, although not registered for Europe, is January arrival Mason Melia.

The 18-year-old is one of the biggest young talents in Irish football and Spurs saw off competition from top Premier League and European clubs to agree a deal with St Patrick's Athletic in February last year for the forward, worth an initial £1.6million - a record transfer for the League of Ireland - with the potential for add-ons to double that figure.

However, Melia, who put pen to paper on a long-term contract until 2031, arrived in January with a back injury that he had been playing with at St Pats in the final months of their season.

It was decided to let that fully clear up before getting the Irishman into the action. However, football.london understands Melia then picked up a chest infection that further delayed his attempts to get to work.

The rest might not have been a bad thing, though, for a very young player who has played a lot of football. At 18, Melia has already taken part in 98 senior matches, including Europa League games, and been directly involved in 33 goals, scoring 25 and recording eight assists.

There are high hopes for him and football.london understands that Melia stepped up his efforts on the pitches at Hotspur Way on Monday and is hoping to begin full training in the near future.

Like his fellow January arrival James Wilson, from Hearts, Melia will spend his initial time with both the U21s and first team but is expected, with his exposure to first team football and his physique and ability, to quickly catch the eye of the senior players and staff.

One person who will be watching Tottenham's senior players closely on Tuesday night in Madrid is Mauricio Pochettino.

For the first time since he was sacked by the club in 2019, the Argentine will sit and observe Spurs in action live from the stands.

The 54-year-old has long been linked with managing the north London club again one day and has repeatedly admitted that it's a burning desire he holds.

His attendance at the game in Spain will only further fan those flames, although there is more to it than that.

Pochettino is believed to have travelled to Madrid with his wife Karina for some family matters and will use the game to watch USA international Johnny Cardoso, who is back playing regularly again for Atletico after an ankle injury.

All the attention will be on Tottenham but Real Madrid are also believed to be considering the Argentine as their next head coach after years of flirtations. That he is in the same city right now also has to be taken into consideration.

Those around the former PSG and Chelsea boss claim that Spurs have made no direct contact with him in recent times, even after the sacking of Thomas Frank last month.

His involvement with the USA at the World Cup would be problematic, dependent on how far they progress in the competition, in terms of the preparation work required for next season.

The World Cup will be all consuming for Pochettino and his staff. However, the Argentine would be the popular choice among the Spurs fans and an easy win for the beleaguered hierarchy at the club.

Whether Tottenham are in the Premier League next season could also play its part, as will just how real that Real interest is. It's difficult to turn down the world's biggest club, even if managerial tenures there are as short as they are at Spurs.

The shadow of Pochettino has loomed over all the Tottenham managers who have come since his departure from N17 and now he will quite literally sit above Tudor at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night.

The Argentine will no doubt watch on and wonder what his old club have become since he was forced to hand over the reins six-and-a-half years ago. Hopefully it's not too late for the Spurs ship to be fixed, revamped and navigated back in the opposite direction.