Ex-Inter Milan coach endorses Lazio and Nigeria star Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as a winger

Former Atalanta and Sassuolo manager Angelo Gregucci believes Nigerian star Fisayo Dele-Bashiru possesses the versatility to excel in multiple roles for Lazio, Soccernet.ng reports.

Since joining Lazio on loan from Hatayspor during the summer transfer window, Dele-Bashiru has been utilised primarily as either a deep-lying box-to-box midfielder or an attacking midfielder.

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Dele-Bashiru showed his attacking brilliance in his preferred midfield role by scoring his second Serie A goal of the season in Lazio’s 1-1 draw with Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta in their final game of 2024.

However, Lazio head coach Marco Baroni decided to experiment by deploying Dele-Bashiru as a left winger during the team’s 1-1 Serie A draw with Cesc Fabregas’ Como on January 10.

Although Lazio were unable to secure a win, Dele-Bashiru delivered a commendable performance in his new role, registering impressive statistics: one key pass, three duels won, two shots blocked, two successful dribbles from three attempts, two fouls committed, and one tackle.

The game turned against Lazio when youngster Loum Tchaouna, playing as an attacking midfielder in place of Dele-Bashiru, received a red card in the 58th minute.

Como capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Patrick Cutrone netting a 78th-minute equaliser to cancel out Boulaye Dia's first-half opener.

Despite the result, former Inter Milan assistant coach Angelo Gregucci was impressed with Dele-Bashiru’s adaptability and endorsed the experiment.

“It can be repeated. For him (Dele-Bashiru), it makes little difference whether he plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger,” Gregucci said, as quoted by La Lazio Siamo Noi.

Lazio and Dele-Bashiru will now focus on securing their first win of 2025 when they visit the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Sunday for a Serie A matchday 21 clash against Verona.

This away fixture will be followed by two crucial home games at the Stadio Olimpico: against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League on January 23, and against Fiorentina in Serie A on January 26.