Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru endured a subdued evening at the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio and AS Roma played out a tense 1-1 draw in Sunday’s edition of the Derby della Capitale.
Despite the high stakes with both sides jostling for a Champions League place, Dele-Bashiru struggled to leave his mark on the contest.
The 24-year-old, making his 28th appearance of the season for Lazio, was on the pitch for 79 minutes but offered little in the way of attacking impact.
Deployed in midfield, he failed to register a shot on target and didn’t create a single key pass. His expected goals (xG) was a modest 0.09, and his expected assists (xA) came in even lower at 0.01, reflecting a quiet performance in the final third.
Dele-Bashiru: Super Eagles No 10 struggle in possession and creativity
Dele-Bashiru’s overall involvement was limited. He managed just 24 touches throughout his time on the pitch, completing 10 of 14 passes at a 71% accuracy rate.
In terms of creativity and progression, the Nigerian international failed to deliver, attempting one cross that went unconverted and misfiring on his only dribble attempt. He also didn’t complete any of his long ball efforts.
Defensively, he was largely uninvolved in the gritty exchanges that often define this historic fixture, which first began in 1929.
The lack of influence was particularly noticeable given the intensity and significance of the match, as Roma continue their resurgence under Claudio Ranieri.
Despite the quiet performance, Dele-Bashiru remains an important figure for Lazio. Initially joining from Turkish club Hatayspor on a season-long loan, his move was recently made permanent in a €7 million deal. The agreement ties him to the Biancocelesti until 2028.
So far this season, he has scored five goals and contributed two assists in all competitions. Although he’s only started 16 matches, with an average of 50 minutes per game, his performances have shown promise.
