Lazio manager Marco Baroni has addressed the decision to substitute Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru at halftime during their 2-1 Serie A defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico.
The move came as a surprise to many, but Baroni clarified his reasoning after the match. Dele-Bashiru, making his eighth Serie A start of the season, was deployed as a central midfielder alongside Mattéo Guendouzi in a two-man pivot.
The 23-year-old, who has impressed since his loan move from Turkish club Hatayspor, has showcased his versatility by also playing as a left-winger and attacking midfielder in previous games.
Despite Lazio’s early dominance in the match, Fiorentina capitalized on defensive lapses to strike twice within the first 17 minutes through Lucas Beltrán and Yacine Adli, leaving Lazio trailing 2-0 at halftime.
Baroni opted for a tactical change, replacing Dele-Bashiru with Nicolò Rovella, leaving the Nigerian midfielder in the dressing room as the team emerged for the second half.
Baroni explained the substitution, saying, “Dele-Bashiru? The match was difficult, he needed space,” Baroni said via SosFanta. “More speed in his maneuvers was needed. He did well in the first half, but it wasn’t an ideal match for a player who needed space, and there wasn’t any.”
Lazio improved in the second half, partly due to Adli’s red card in the 63rd minute. A stoppage-time goal by Adam Marušić provided a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late for the Romans.
However, Baroni was quick to absolve Dele-Bashiru of blame, instead focusing on the team’s defensive errors and lack of rhythm in the opening half.
“Lazio lost because we conceded two easy goals, and when the game goes like this, it’s not easy,” he explained. “We lacked rhythm at the start, made mistakes, and this penalised us. But I liked the mental energy and determination in the second half.”
The Lazio boss further emphasized that the loss was not down to Dele-Bashiru’s performance, praising the Nigerian for his growth and contributions to the team.
“It’s not a midfield problem or about Dele-Bashiru, who is growing and giving us a lot. The whole team was slow in the manoeuvre. We can’t play slow football; we have to improve and raise the level.”
Dele-Bashiru, whose loan deal includes a €5 million option to buy, continues to attract interest from Premier League clubs, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future at Lazio.