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Fresh calls for former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp to return have been made as Igor Tudor struggles to reverse Spurs' fortunes

Jamie O'Hara has sent a desperate message for Harry Redknapp to replace Igor Tudor as Tottenham Hotspur head coach following the 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs endured a difficult evening in the Spanish capital as former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez netted a double and the visitors' goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was brought off 17 minutes into his Champions League debut. Diego Simeone's side will travel to north London with a three-goal cushion looking to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

For Igor Tudor, it was a fourth successive defeat as caretaker manager with their problems worsening. Pressure continues to mount on the Croatian after his difficult start, which was compounded against Crystal Palace last weekend.

With the threat of relegation from the English top-flight ominously looming, the Tottenham hierarchy are facing increasing demands for a second change of management in the dugout since the beginning of the season.

O'Hara has made a plea to iconic former boss Redknapp, who hasn't been in the dugout since 2018, despite the 79-year-old preparing for the Cheltenham Festival, the horse-racing jumps event which started on Tuesday.

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Speaking on talkSPORT with former Spurs player Jason Cundy, O'Hara said: “Stop talking about the Gold Cup! Tottenham is bigger than the Gold Cup, Jase.

"Harry Redknapp would bin off the Gold Cup to come and manage Spurs. Come and manage Spurs. They need to get someone in, they need someone in so quick.

"You need someone who knows a formation and will stick to it. He's played four different teams and four different formations, how can he take over a club of this magnitude? He hasn't got a clue."

O'Hara added: "He has not got a clue what he’s doing, he’s a rabbit in the headlights. He has no idea how to get a tune out of any of these players. These players are not performing, I get it, but they are not this bad."

Redknapp's horse The Jukebox Man is fancied for Friday's coveted Gold Cup. The former manager will also feature on ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! South Africa edition, which was pre-recorded following filming in 2025 and is set to air on Monday, April 6 before a live grand final in London.

The former Spurs boss directly acknowledged links over a potential return previously but poured cold water on speculation. He said: "Of course. I'd have to, wouldn't I?

"But it's not going to happen. I can't see it happening. I'll be at Cheltenham on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."

Spurs travel to Liverpool, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in their Champions League first-leg, on Sunday (4.30pm kick-off). But they will have to do without Micky van de Ven, who was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity against Palace.

"Strange game. We give them three goals. We restarted good but then the problems kill us," Tudor said after the defeat to Atleti.

"Very, very strange, very unusual. It took our confidence.

“We apologise to the fans who were here today, to everyone. They had a difficult moment.

“Everything looked like it was going wrong, every small mistake we pay, even the situation at the end, two players out. Everything is going against us.”

Pundits, including ex-Tottenham players, have their say on the club's plight as relegation fears mount

Tottenham Hotspur are staring over the cliff edge of relegation to the Championship.

The sacking of Thomas Frank hasn't had the desired effect, with interim Igor Tudor now under pressure after successive defeats to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace. There are suggestions that Tudor himself could be replaced before Spurs return to the Premier League action at Liverpool on Sunday.

Europe feels like a sideshow as Spurs look to avoid dropping into the second tier for the first time since 1977.

It's clear Spurs are NOT 'too good to go down'. Here's a round-up of what leading pundits are saying about the club's predicament and where it would rank in the list of Premier League shocks if they do drop to the Championship…

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Alan Shearer

Per Betfair, the Newcastle icon said: "Tottenham are in big danger of getting relegated now. When I saw them against Newcastle, I said that from that night onwards, I thought there was a real prospect of them being relegated, because I just didn't see any fight.

"I didn't see any desire or any attitude from the Spurs players, particularly in that first half on Thursday [against Palace]. I think that encapsulates what they are; they're a mess, both on and off the pitch. You can tell confidence is fragile. I know they've got injuries, but everyone has injuries.

"And if they go down, they deserve to go down because it hasn't just happened this season. It was last season where they finished. We all thought that can't happen again, but it has, so they can only blame themselves."

Rio Ferdinand

Speaking on his Presents YouTube channel, the former Manchester United defender didn't hold back, declaring: "They're going down. Even the manager says we've got to improve in every area, including the brain.

"If I was a betting man, I'd bet on Spurs going down, given where they are confidence-wise. I don't see where they're going to pick up points, their record is horrendous."

Jamie Redknapp

Speaking after the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, he said on Sky Sports: "They [Arsenal] were so much better than Tottenham, it was like two different leagues. If Tottenham aren't careful, they might be in a different league. They cannot keep performing like this."

Jermain Defoe

The former Spurs striker told The Sun: "It would be catastrophic if the club got relegated. A massive club like Tottenham, you look at the infrastructure and everything...

"I have been in both situations. Of course, the pressure of trying to win the league or finish in the top four is a lot of pressure.

"But I do feel like it is maybe a different type of pressure [at the bottom] when you have maybe not experienced something like this before. It is going to be tough."

Jamie Carragher

In his Telegraph column, the Sky Sport pundit wrote: "If they drop into the Championship it would be the most shocking descent of the Premier League era, and the most embarrassing for a club of such wealth and stature since Denis Law’s back-heel for Manchester City sent Manchester United into the old Second Division in 1974.

"There is no escaping the shadow of the dreaded 'R word' at Spurs. Relegation is possible. Add 'ridiculous' or 'reprehensible' and plain 'rubbish' to the valid descriptions of their record over the past 27 months, which has led them to this perilous situation. Spurs' abysmal form since they were top of the Premier League in November 2023 defies belief."

Jamie O'Hara

The former Spurs midfielder told 10Bet: "Yeah, absolutely [Spurs can go down]. They have got to find a way out of trouble for sure. It's been a terrible season.

"We've got some tough fixtures coming up and we need to pick up some points. We've got enough good players in the team to find a way of winning.

"Even with all the injuries that we've got, there's still enough decent players to not get relegated. And that's all it's about this season, sadly in the league, not getting relegated."

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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