Lazio manager Marco Baroni has called on Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to step up his performances after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to AS Roma on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was substituted at halftime following a lackluster display at the Stadio Olimpico, continuing a run of inconsistency since his summer move to the Serie A side.
Baroni acknowledged the midfielder’s struggles, explaining that Dele-Bashiru is still adapting to his new role within the team.
“He is still learning the position and how to control the ball between the lines,” Baroni said in his post-match interview with DAZN.
While Lazio is reportedly exploring the transfer market for potential reinforcements, Baroni stressed that the focus remains on improving the current squad, including Dele-Bashiru. He also pointed out the extended absence of Matias
Vecino, but emphasized that the team cannot rely on injuries as an excuse for underperforming.
Baroni’s comments reflect the club’s expectations for the young midfielder, urging him to make the necessary adjustments and deliver better performances in the crucial fixtures ahead.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
