Dele-Bashiru Opens Serie A Account in Lazio’s Triumph Over Bologna

In a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru etched his name into Lazio’s history books with his first Serie A goal, sealing a commanding 3-0 victory over Bologna. The win marked Lazio’s ninth league triumph of the campaign, solidifying their push for the upper echelons of the league table.

The match began with both teams seeking dominance, but the tide turned in Lazio’s favor in the 35th minute. Bologna’s Tommaso Pobega was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving the visitors with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite the numerical advantage, Lazio struggled to break through Bologna’s defensive lines during the first half, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half. Substitute Samuel Gigot capitalized on a chaotic sequence in the penalty area to bundle the ball into the net, sending the Stadio Olimpico into raptures. Just four minutes later, Mattia Zaccagni doubled the lead with a sublime curling finish, showcasing his technical brilliance and putting Lazio firmly in control.

The icing on the cake came in the dying moments of the match. Nigerian international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had replaced Valentín Castellanos in the 85th minute, wasted no time making his presence felt. A swift Lazio counter-attack culminated in the 23-year-old midfielder slamming the ball into the net, marking his maiden Serie A goal.

Dele-Bashiru’s strike not only highlighted his potential but also reflected his growing importance to the team since joining from Hatayspor in the summer. His first goal for the club came earlier in the UEFA Europa League during a 3-0 victory over Dinamo Kiev in September.

Dele-Bashiru’s recent performances have been a source of pride for both Lazio and Nigerian football. The midfielder scored Nigeria’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in October and is now finding his feet in Italy’s top flight. Having recorded a career-high eight goals for Hatayspor last season, Dele-Bashiru is poised to contribute significantly to Lazio’s campaign.