Fisayo Dele-Bashiru vs Cagliari: Why Lazio star was denied Serie A penalty

Nigeria international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was unlucky not to win a penalty for Lazio in the club’s 2-1 win over Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday.

Dele-Bashiru felt he was at the receiving end of a foul that merited a penalty call but former Italian referee Luca Marelli has explained why the former Hatayspor star was denied the penalty.

The Super Eagles midfielder appealed for a spot-kick after going down inside Cagliari’s penalty area following a challenge from defender Juan Rodríguez. However, referee Andrea Colombo waved away the appeals and allowed play to continue.

Marelli has backed the referee’s decision, arguing that the contact between the two players was minimal and that Rodríguez managed to reach the ball.

“Regarding the contact between Rodríguez and Dele-Bashiru, the contact between Rodríguez’s right leg and Dele-Bashiru’s left leg was very light given the dynamics of the move. After that, the Cagliari defender clearly picked up the ball with his left leg. Very heavy contact from Dele-Bashiru,” Marelli said, as quoted by Lazionews.

Dele-Bashiru helps Lazio beat Cagliari

Dele-Bashiru, who is looking to win more game time off manager Gennaro Gattuso, came on in the 55th minute as Lazio looked to take control of a match in which they had already fallen behind to M’Bala Nzola’s 20th-minute goal.

Gustav Isaksen equalised in the 36th minute, before Andrea Pinamonti scored the winner with a header in the 83rd minute to give Lazio all three points.

The Nigerian midfielder, who also impressed against Lazio, completed all 24 of his passes during his 35 minutes on the pitch. He also won two fouls and attempted one shot.

Dele-Bashiru was involved in the move that led to Pinamonti’s winning goal. His shot was blocked by Cagliari’s Alessandro Deiola, but Lazio kept possession and worked the ball wide before Isaksen and Alfonso Pedraza helped set up the decisive header.

The win leaves Lazio as the sole team at the top of the Serie A table with Inter Milan now three points behind folowig their derby defeat against AC Milan.