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The Nigerian midfielder did not enjoy his first Rome derby and lasted only 45 minutes
After choosing to yank off Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele Bashiru at half-time during his side’s 2-0 loss to Roma, Lazio manager Marco Baroni has explained the rationale behind his decision.
Dele Bashiru was afforded only 45 minutes of the Derby della Capitale to impress before being replaced at the break.
Dele-Bashiru subbed early as Lazio lose derby
The Super Eagles midfielder, making only his sixth start of the Serie A season, was one of two Lazio players replaced at half time alongside Gustav Isaksen.
After a shocking start to the game that saw Lazio fall two goals behind early on, Baroni decided to ring the changes at half-time, replacing Dele-Bashiru with Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia and Isaksen with Loum Tchaouna.
Despite the half-time changes, Lazio were unable to claw their way back into the game with their local rivals inflicting their second defeat in the last five Serie A games.
A late red card to Valentin Castellanos only compounded Lazio’s woes as they continue to chase a place in the top four to secure Champions League football next season.
Baroni explains Dele-Bashiru sub
Speaking after the game, Baroni was asked about his controversial decision to make two half-time subs in the derby and the Italian gaffer offered a robust explanation.
Baroni told DAZN after the match, “Dele-Bashiru is still learning the position and how to control the ball between the lines. We are also missing Matias Vecino for a long time, but that must not be an excuse.”
Despite the loss, Baroni was happy with the team’s overall performance and structure saying,
“As I said, our tactical identity is the most important thing, and I saw that in the second half. We conceded two avoidable goals, it was a pity.”
Even after the disappointing loss, Lazio remain on course to make it into the top four at the end of the season, and they will be hoping that Dele-Bashiru, who has already scored two goals this campaign can deliver more performances like the one against Atalanta and fewer like the one against Roma.
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