Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru earned plaudits after delivering a game-winning assist in Lazio’s 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Serie A. The 24 year old played the full 90 minutes and was instrumental in setting up Gustav Isaksen’s decisive goal early in the second half.
Dele-Bashiru initiated the move with a surging run from midfield, connecting with a long ball from goalkeeper Christos Mandas before feeding Isaksen, who calmly slotted home. The victory, Lazio’s first in four matches, has reignited their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season.
Former Atalanta manager Delio Rossi praised the Nigerian’s performance, describing it as mature and intelligent. Rossi also highlighted the effectiveness of the midfield trio Dele-Bashiru, Nicolò Rovella, and Reda Belahyane—in executing coach Marco Baroni’s game plan.
Despite a tough start to life in Rome following his summer move from Turkish club Hatayspor, Dele-Bashiru has found form in recent weeks, now boasting three goals and one assist in 18 Serie A appearances. His resurgence could place him back in contention for a Super Eagles call-up, having missed the recent World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
Editorial
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s performance against Atalanta is a reminder that growth in football is rarely linear it’s forged through resilience, adaptation, and moments of clarity. For a player who struggled to find rhythm early in the season, this assist may well represent a turning point in his Italian adventure.
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The vision to make the run, the composure to find a teammate, and the tactical awareness to support the defensive shape throughout the match it was the performance of a player maturing into a dependable Serie A midfielder. Lazio, too, will be relieved. Their European hopes were beginning to fade, but Dele-Bashiru injected fresh life into their campaign.
His recent form should catch the attention of Nigeria’s coaching staff. With the Super Eagles looking to balance flair with functionality in midfield, Dele-Bashiru brings a combination of both. And after missing out on recent call-ups, he now has the opportunity to make a strong case for inclusion.
This assist may only register as one line on the stat sheet, but it could prove far more significant in Dele-Bashiru’s personal and international story. He’s finding his feet and just in time.
Did You Know?
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is the younger brother of Tom Dele-Bashiru, who plays for Watford FC.
- He began his youth career at Manchester City before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 2020.
- Lazio’s 1-0 win over Atalanta was their first Serie A victory in four matches.
- Dele-Bashiru joined Lazio in the summer of 2024 after scoring six goals in Turkey for Hatayspor the previous season.
- Despite being eligible to represent England, he committed to playing for Nigeria at senior level and made his debut in 2023.
