'Dele is not a surprise' - Lazio coach commends Super Eagles midfielder after assist in win v Twente

Lazio manager Marco Baroni has commended the performance of Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru after the Italian side’s 2-0 victory over Twente in their UEFA Europa League encounter.

The win marked Lazio’s third consecutive triumph in the tournament, cementing their position at the top of the group with nine points.

Dele-Bashiru, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in midfield, showcasing his potential and contributing directly to the team's second goal in the closing moments.

Despite Twente being reduced to ten players early on, Lazio found it challenging to break through the Dutch side’s defense. 

Former Barcelona winger Pedro Gonzalez eventually provided the breakthrough, converting a cross from the right in the 35th minute to give Lazio the lead.

As the game approached its end, Dele-Bashiru added another touch of class, setting up teammate Gustav Isaksen for a close-range finish that sealed the 2-0 victory in the 87th minute.

After the match, Baroni commended the team's thorough preparation and praised the players' character and performance against Twente.

"It went well. The team prepared the game well. Here there is a young team and environment that plays. Just look at how they pressed the goalkeeper in the second half.," Baroni was quoted as saying by Lazio News.

He reflected on Lazio's resilience in capitalizing on their numerical advantage, stating "These are games that even when you have a numerical advantage, in the lead, you have to close them out. When you close them out you have to always stay in the game and we did that."

Baroni further praised both Dele-Bashiru and defender Samuel Gigot for their contributions, highlighting their commitment and adaptability. He, however, expressed confidence in Dele-Bashiru's continued development.

"I am happy for Samuel, he can give a lot in all aspects: personality, charisma, character, and he is a strong player. We brought him back. Dele is not a surprise, you have to give him time. 

"There is a path that every player, when he arrives in a different environment and has different attention, has to create. He has quality and will grow exponentially, I am convinced of that,” he added.

With this victory, Lazio now sits comfortably atop the UEFA Europa League group stage, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Anderlecht, positioning themselves well for the knockout stages as they look to continue their strong European run.

Adeyemi Adewale

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