Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has identified Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s missed opportunity as the decisive moment in their dramatic 3-3 draw with Udinese in Serie A on Monday night.

The Super Eagles midfielder was introduced in the second half as Lazio pushed for control in a tightly contested encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.

With the score finely balanced at 2-1 in Lazio’s favour, Dele-Bashiru had a clear chance to extend the lead but failed to convert, an incident Sarri believes changed the direction of the match.

Reflecting on the result, Sarri admitted his side lacked intensity in the opening stages but improved significantly after the break.

However, he pointed to the moment just after Lazio had taken the lead as the key phase where the game slipped away from their control.

“We entered the match as a team with little mental and emotional energy, and we got into the game after half an hour. The second half was excellent, the turning point at 2-1 was Dele-Bashiru's missed chance,” Sarri said at the post-match press conference, as quoted by Fantacalcio, stressing how crucial the opportunity was in shifting momentum back towards Udinese.

The match itself was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and late drama, with Udinese taking the lead through Kingsley Ehizibue before Lazio responded in the second half, with Luca Pellegrini equalising and Pedro putting them ahead.

Late drama followed in a frantic closing spell, as Arthur Atta scored twice in quick succession, including a stoppage-time goal that looked to have given Udinese a crucial 3-2 lead.

However, Lazio refused to surrender, and deep into added time, Daniel Maldini found the net from close range to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw, bringing an end to a chaotic and fiercely contested encounter.

Wale Adejumo