{
  "id": 15361139,
  "title": "LaLiga: 'He's not there' - Sergio Picos slams Ademola Lookman after Atletico's 1-0 win at Espanyol",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/laliga-hes-not-there-sergio-picos-slams-ademola-lookman-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T05:36:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/18/laliga-hes-not-there-sergio-picos-slams-ademola-lookman-after-atleticos1-0-win-at-espanyol/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Atletico Madrid's manager, Sergio Picos, has harshly criticized forward Ademola Lookman following his team's 1-0 victory over Espanyol in La Liga. The former African Footballer of the Year was withdrawn at halftime for the second straight match in the Spanish top-flight. Manager Diego Simeone replaced Lookman with Julián Alvarez, who later scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute.\n\nLookman has struggled to regain his peak form this season, netting only two goals in 11 appearances across all competitions. Picos expressed concerns about Lookman's confidence and his reluctance to engage defenders during the opening period. He stated, \"He's not there. He had the opportunity in the starting eleven, but he doesn't look confident taking on defenders.\" Picos also noted Lookman's lack of dynamism and movement, which could provide his team with an alternative attacking option.\n\nThe Argentine forward has been a regular starter for Atletico in 8 of their 11 matches across all competitions this season, accumulating 600 minutes of competitive playing time. Picos urged Lookman to improve and emphasized that he \"needs to improve.\"",
  "summary": "Atletico Madrid insider, Sergio Picos, has criticised Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman over his performance in their 1-0 victory against Espanyol in La Liga at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday. The former African Footballer of the Year must have been disappointed upon being withdrawn at the break for the second consecutive match in the Spanish […] LaLiga: 'He's not there' - Sergio Picos slams…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}