'Not at his best' - Lazio coach gives honest verdict on Dele-Bashiru after injury comeback

Lazio coach Marco Baroni provided an honest assessment of Dele-Bashiru following his return from injury in the team’s 1-1 draw against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.

The match saw Lazio secure a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years, but it was the performance of Dele-Bashiru that caught the coach’s attention.

Baroni acknowledged that the midfielder was still working his way back to full fitness.

"Dele-Bashiru also returned even if he is not at his best," Baroni told reporters at the post-match press conference.

However, he emphasized that the value of having the player back in the squad, even in a less-than-ideal physical state, was crucial.

"When you are on the home straight, finding this type of player is fundamental," Baroni added, highlighting the importance of having experienced players like Dele-Bashiru available as Lazio heads into more demanding fixtures.

Baroni’s comments underline the significance of having players like Dele-Bashiru, who can offer both experience and depth, especially during critical stages of the season.

While the midfielder may not be fully fit, his return is an important step for Lazio as they continue to push for success in both domestic and European competitions.

Dele-Bashiru had been named in Nigeria's 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

However, despite his inclusion in the provisional list, the Lazio midfielder ultimately missed out on a spot in the final 23-man squad.

While he was unable to make the cut, his recovery continues to be a key focus as he looks to regain full fitness and potentially earn future call-ups for the Super Eagles.

Wale Adejumo

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