Atlético won 1-0 at Espanyol, and the player who came on at half-time set up the winner.
Atlético Madrid insider Sergio Picos has criticised Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman after the winger was taken off at half-time for the second consecutive La Liga match. Atlético beat Espanyol 1-0 at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday in matchday nine, and Lookman played no part in the winning moment.
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone brought on Argentina international Julián Álvarez at the interval. Simeone explained that managing playing time and effort had shaped his changes: "We were looking to manage the minutes, the effort; we needed legs." Simeone also adjusted his side against a stubborn Espanyol defence. Atlético got the three points with a late goal.
Lookman had been a starter for this fixture only days after he found the net in Atlético's 2-0 Champions League success over Manchester United. This season he has started eight of the club's 11 matches in all competitions, played 600 minutes, and has two goal involvements across those appearances. In the ratings, he ended up at the bottom of the starters who lined up against Espanyol.
Picos's player ratings for AS were blunt about the winger's start to the game:
"He's not there. He had the opportunity in the starting eleven, but he doesn't look confident taking on defenders."
Picos also wrote that Lookman lacks dynamism and movement that could give his team an outlet. "He was very subdued in the first half again before being substituted." His verdict was short: "He needs to improve."
Samuel Omaenikun, a Nigerian journalist based in the UK, told Legit.ng that Lookman "needs to remain calm and keep working hard because every player goes through difficult periods in their career." Omaenikun added that "His quality is not in doubt, but he needs to show consistency in training and take advantage of every opportunity he gets."
The slump has also reached international duty. Lookman failed to score in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau last month. The 27-year-old is the 2024 African Footballer of the Year.
Alvarez, who replaced Lookman at the break, set up Álex Baena's winner in the 89th minute.
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