AliousPedro Porro has clarified the reason behind his angry reaction during Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat at home to Crystal Palace and insisted that his frustration had nothing to do with interim manager Igor Tudor.
The Spanish right-back was seen venting his anger after being substituted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, shouting toward the fourth official before returning to the bench and repeatedly striking his seat in the dugout. The incident led to speculation that he was unhappy with Tudor’s decision to take him off, but Porro has moved quickly to dismiss those claims.
Speaking to football.london, Porro explained that his reaction was simply born out of frustration at the result. He stressed that he always gives everything on the pitch and hates losing, adding that the outburst had nothing to do with the manager but was simply an emotional response to a difficult situation the team has not been used to facing.
Porro Defends Tudor Despite Difficult Start
Tottenham’s struggles this season have made recent months particularly challenging for the squad. Porro admitted it has been a tough period, especially after dealing with a minor injury recently, but insisted that neither he nor his teammates have lost their determination.
The defender acknowledged that results in recent weeks have not gone as expected, but he believes the team must remain focused and continue working hard until the end of the season.
Despite Igor Tudor losing his first three matches since taking charge, Porro remains confident the Croatian coach can steer Spurs back in the right direction. He pointed out that Tudor has only been at the club for a few weeks and still needs time to fully understand the players, while the squad must also adapt to his ideas.
Romero’s Return a Big Boost
Porro also welcomed the return of Cristian Romero after the Argentine defender completed a four-match suspension. According to the Spanish full-back, Romero’s presence is crucial for the team and can make a major difference as Tottenham fight to avoid relegation.
He described the Spurs captain as a hugely important figure for the squad, admitting the team felt his absence during his suspension and is delighted to have him back available again.
Squad Depth and Injury Problems
The Tottenham defender also addressed the impact of the club’s injury crisis this season, suggesting that having greater squad depth can make life easier for the manager. While language differences sometimes make it harder for him to fully express his thoughts in English, Porro emphasised that having more fit players available benefits the entire team.
Focus on Atletico Madrid Clash
Looking ahead, Porro is preparing for a challenging night against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in the UEFA Champions League. He warned his teammates that playing away at Atletico will be extremely demanding, even though coach Diego Simeone suggested Tottenham might be favourites for the last-16 tie.
Porro said the squad understands the challenge ahead and must approach the match with the right mentality, noting that Atletico have enjoyed a strong season and will be a difficult opponent.
Contrast Between Domestic and European Form
Tottenham’s campaign has been a tale of two competitions. While they currently sit 16th in the Premier League—just one point above the relegation zone—their performances in the Champions League have been far more encouraging.
Spurs reached the last-16 stage after finishing fourth in the league phase of the competition, ahead of several of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Porro admitted he cannot fully explain the stark contrast between their domestic and European form. However, he believes the team should focus on the positives from their continental campaign and try to replicate that level of performance in the Premier League as they push to finish the season strongly.
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