Super Eagles watch: Dele-Bashiru suffers European heartbreak as Roma crush Lazio in Rome derby

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Lazio endured another painful afternoon in Rome after losing 2-0 to bitter rivals AS Roma in the latest Derby della Capitale at the Stadio Olimpico, Afrik-Foot reports.

The defeat confirmed the gloomy end to Lazio’s season, with the club now set to miss out on European football completely next term. Dele-Bashiru joined the club hoping to establish himself on the continental stage but the defeat to Roma caps another frustrating chapter in a difficult week for the Biancocelesti.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma produced a controlled and aggressive display in front of a tense Olimpico crowd in an early afternoon kickoff.

Lazio’s third-choice goalkeeper Alessio Furlanetto was called into action after just nine minutes when he reacted sharply to stop a dangerous Niccolò Pisilli delivery that almost resulted in an own goal from Nuno Tavares.

Lazio briefly threatened midway through the first half, but Mile Svilar comfortably collected Matteo Cancellieri’s curling effort. Boulaye Dia thought he had given Lazio the lead in the 29th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Roma eventually found the breakthrough six minutes before the break. Pisilli delivered a dangerous corner into the area and defender Gianluca Mancini rose highest to power a header past Furlanetto for 1-0.

Mancini double seals misery for Dele-Bashiru’s Lazio

Dele-Bashiru started the match on the bench and was introduced in the 62nd minute by Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri as the visitors searched for a route back into the contest.

However, Lazio’s hopes collapsed almost immediately after the Nigerian midfielder entered the pitch. In the 65th minute, Roma struck again from another set-piece situation. Paulo Dybala floated a precise corner into the six-yard box and Mancini timed his run perfectly to head home his second goal of the afternoon, sending the Curva Sud into celebration.

Things became even worse for Lazio four minutes later when tempers exploded in a heated confrontation involving players from both sides. The referee produced straight red cards for Roma defender Wesley França and Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella, reducing both teams to 10 men.

With Lazio chasing the game while a man short in midfield, Dele-Bashiru was forced deeper into defensive duties and struggled to influence attacking play. The Super Eagles midfielder finished with no shots and no key passes during his 28-minute cameo as Roma controlled possession and territory.

Roma nearly added a third goal late on through Stephan El Shaarawy and Matías Soulé, but Furlanetto made further saves to prevent additional damage.

The result leaves Lazio outside the European qualification places after a disastrous end to the campaign. Their hopes had already been severely damaged by the recent Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter Milan, but losing to Roma officially slammed shut every remaining continental door.

Missing out on Europe is expected to have major consequences for Lazio financially and sporting-wise. The club will lose valuable UEFA revenue, while several important players could now attract transfer interest this summer.

The situation may force a major decision about Dele-Bashiru’s future. The Nigerian midfielder impressed during Lazio’s Europa League campaign last season, contributing two goals and two assists in eight European appearances, and reports in England, Turkey and Italy continue to link him with clubs capable of offering continental football next season.