Just two training sessions, trying to remember all his teammates’ names and then facing Premier League leaders Liverpool. It’s fair to say, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky (21) has had a hectic couple of days since joining Tottenham.
He has already managed to contribute to the scalp of one of the best teams in the world. “This is what I always dreamed of,” he says in an interview with Sport Invest, the agency that represents Kinsky.
Since when was it definite that you would line up in goal against Liverpool and how did your preparation for the match look like?
“By only being here for three days, I didn’t know completely long in advance. I sensed it from pre-match training and from the way the coaches spoke to me. Both during those three days and especially the goalkeeping coach the day before the game. I knew there was a chance to go in goal.
“I played my last game on December 15th and since then I’ve only had conditioning with Lukas Stransky. It made me feel great, in strength, in speed, which a goalkeeper needs. That was good, I was catching well. And I could just get into goalie mode, I got into it quickly.”
And you seemed very calm from the first minutes. You didn’t feel any inner uncertainty or jitters before the big debut?
“By the fact that I started the last game three weeks ago, that kind of anticipation of how it would look was there. Classically by the time I went to warm-up and then it was in the same mode as always. Concentrating on myself, on individual situations and trying not to notice the surroundings, which I think is the key to being able to give a good performance. Letting go of whether there are 60, 30,000 people in the stadium or nobody.”
How did you feel in the game itself? Liverpool pushed forward more and more as time went on…
“Good. During the aforementioned three-week break, I was in the gym almost every day, preparing physically. Then it was just about getting the goalkeeping moves in. And I did that. Thanks to the great conditions at the training centre and the great attitude of the coaches who helped me get up to speed quickly. Especially the goalkeeping coach, who talked to me a lot on the first day and took me to training.
“It was only three days, everything happened so fast, but thanks to the attitude of everyone in the club, it was manageable.”
You showed what you can do right from the start of the game…
“I like to play with the ball and I would say I have enough confidence. But I don’t like to take risks. There is a difference between being smart, confident and taking risks. The first half wasn’t 100 per cent from me yet, in the second half I was confident. I want to keep playing like this. The other guys helped me a lot.”
In the second half, you had to make two tough saves against Darwin Nunez…
“It’s not just about playing with my feet, but also about helping the team in moments when it needs it. I was lucky that they were catchable shots and the ball didn’t go straight into the net, which happens quite often in the Premier League.
“I concentrated on being well-positioned and being able to react in time. I’m delighted with the saves, the result and the whole club.”
Against the Premier League leaders, you immediately helped the team to a win, with a clean sheet to boot. Could you have played a better opening game?
“I would say this is one of those moments where you can’t make it up. This is what I’ve always dreamed of, to move to a big club like this and play big games like this. I’m grateful for it, I appreciate it. On the other hand, I know I went for it.
“That’s why I’ve been training every day, giving it practically all my time. I gave up a lot of things at the expense of that and now it’s come back to me. It’s about attitude, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. However, I always have it in my head that I’m going all out and I’m trying to do everything I can to make it work out.”
How did you enjoy the atmosphere at the stadium?
“The fact that I came from Slavia, where it is extremely noisy during the game, helped me a lot. Here, of course, there were three times as many people and when the whole stadium started for the first time, I thought, ‘Dude, this is crazy’.
“The atmosphere is comparable to Eden (Slavia’s home), although I have to say I rank this one higher. Also because of the circumstances – for Tottenham, against Liverpool, winning at home, 60,000 people… I’m excited about it.”
What were the first reactions of your teammates in the cabin and people from the club?
“Everybody was excited. I’m very happy because I came a few days back. The club is huge, there are so many people working here, but everyone is very nice and helpful. It wouldn’t have been possible without that. You can’t really settle down in three days. But the guys and everyone around me helped me.
“And I’m especially glad that I could give back to everyone with my performance in the match. Not by thanking them for every single thing.”
A video of your emotional post-match hug with your sister has been circulating on social media. What did you manage to say to each other?
“A few words, it was emotional. In the warm-up I saw they were in the stands, I was so happy. You don’t always go to them. Now the result of the game helped. And it was nice that my sister was down like that and therefore the first one I could share it with.
“I’ve said it a few times: She’s there for me, all the time, just like my parents. In the moments when I’ve been good, and when I haven’t. I’m grateful for that and I appreciate it.”
Have you thought about the more distant future, what you hope to accomplish this season and in the years to come?
“Definitely. I have my plans and goals. Honestly, I’ve got four days and 90 minutes on the pitch now, so I want to keep my feet on the ground and not say I want to win this and that. I’m just going to go back to training tomorrow and work hard to be as prepared as I can for the next game.
“If the coaches point at me again, I want to be ready and give as good a performance as I showed against Liverpool now and as I always try to do.”