Lazio coach lauds Nigeria’s Dele-Bashiru amid doubts about his availability for Ludogorets clash

Lazio head coach Marco Baroni has commended Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s dynamic performances and adaptability but remains uncertain if the Nigerian midfielder will feature in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League tie against Ludogorets.

The 23-year-old, on loan from Turkish club Hatayspor, made an immediate impact with a standout debut against Venezia, but his Serie A opportunities have been limited as he settles into Italian football.

Last weekend, Dele-Bashiru made a strong statement by netting his first Serie A goal in Lazio’s commanding 3-0 victory over Bologna.

Despite limited league action, Dele-Bashiru has been instrumental in Lazio’s Europa League journey, contributing a goal and an assist in three group-stage matches, helping them maintain an unbeaten run.

At a pre-match press conference, Baroni highlighted Dele-Bashiru’s strengths, describing him as a versatile player with exceptional energy and potential.

“Dele has a lot of energy,” Baroni said, as quoted by Fanta Calcio.

“He is a midfielder who can play all over the pitch. He has quality, energy, physical strength and is a player who is growing. I see him during training, he will be an important player for us.

“We have to evaluate him, he had a very small problem, today we have 2-3 players that I have to evaluate.

“If he is well he will be in the game. I do not contemplate the thought that one of my teams could underestimate a match, it does not exist.

“We are playing in the Europa League, it is the most important match in front of our fans, we must move on from a great performance tomorrow too. We can and must do it.

“We have Zaccagni who has a contusion and needs to be evaluated, the same thing with Romagnoli. Dele-Bashiru had a small problem and we will evaluate him.”