Dele‑Bashiru Steps Up as Lazio Scrape 1–1 Draw with Bologna

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru came off the bench to deliver a lively cameo as Lazio held Bologna to a 1–1 draw in Sunday’s Serie A fixture at the Stadio Olimpico.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Gustav Isaksen struck, sending home fans into raptures. But Bologna responded swiftly  just seven minutes later as Jens Odgaard leveled the contest, silencing the crowd and setting up a tense second half.

Dele‑Bashiru, making his sixth appearance for Lazio, replaced Danilo Cataldi in the 75th minute.  From then until the final whistle, he showed glimpses of quality, contributing to Lazio’s push for a winner though neither side managed to break the deadlock.

With this draw, both clubs walked away sharing the spoils a point apiece reflecting a game where chances were created but a decisive breakthrough proved elusive.

Editorial

Lazio’s 1–1 draw with Bologna might slip into the ledger as “just another Serie A point,” yet beneath the modest final score lies a narrative worth pausing for. The arrival of Fisayo Dele‑Bashiru into the matchday fray offered a glimpse subtle perhaps, but meaningful of what this club might still salvage this season.

Thrown into a contest already alive with pacing and intent, Dele‑Bashiru carried himself with quiet assurance. He did not conjure a goal nor did he engineer a sweeping move but there was a coherence to his presence, a promise of composure an undercurrent of a midfielder who might yet flourish given time and trust. In a game defined by a first‑half scramble, his second‑half calm stood out.

For Lazio, accustomed to fluctuating form and fleeting flashes of brilliance, that matters. This draw is not a failure the club remains unbeaten in recent league meetings with Bologna but nor is it evidence of progress. What is needed now is not just the occasional substitution cameo it is a rebuilding of identity. A side with history, aspirations, and talent one where young contributors like Dele‑Bashiru are not afterthoughts, but fundamental pieces.

If Lazio are to re-emerge as credible competitors in Serie A, they must combine flair with structure, youth with leadership, hunger with consistency. Dele‑Bashiru’s appearance did not alter the outcome Lazio didn’t win. But in a draw that could have been messy, his calm entry was a small moment of grace. And sometimes, in long campaigns, such moments are what separate regret from hope.

Did You Know?

1. Dele‑Bashiru’s substitution appearance against Bologna marked his sixth outing for Lazio in Serie A.
2. His previous contribution to Lazio against Bologna came on November 24, 2024, when he scored his first Serie A goal — the third in a 3–0 win at home.
3. The last few meetings between Lazio and Bologna have often favoured Lazio prior to this draw, Bologna had lost 3–0 to Lazio in their previous encounter.
4. Bologna’s equaliser in this recent match by Odgaard came just seven minutes after Lazio’s opener, underlining the often open and unpredictable nature of their games.
5. For Bologna, this draw denied them a second straight home win away at Lazio — a result that continues a long-term pattern of tough outings for them in the capital.