Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru delivered a memorable moment in Lazio’s impressive 3-0 victory over Juventus, capping a dominant away performance with a brilliant solo goal as head coach Gennaro Gattuso celebrated the mentality and togetherness behind the club’s historic start to the Serie A season.
Lazio produced one of their most convincing performances of the campaign at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Sunday, October 18, combining attacking efficiency with defensive discipline to dismantle Juventus on their home ground.
The victory lifted Lazio to 19 points from seven matches, drawing level with Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A standings and giving the Roman club the best start to a league season in their history.
For Dele-Bashiru, the evening was particularly rewarding. The Nigerian midfielder came off the bench to score his first goal of the season, providing a fitting highlight to his return from a hamstring injury that had interrupted his campaign.
Lazio made their intentions clear early in the contest, although they had to wait until the 37th minute to break the deadlock. Oliver Provstgaard rose to meet Mattia Zaccagni’s delivery following a corner and directed a header into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.
The goal rewarded Lazio’s persistence and put Juventus under pressure to respond before the interval. However, the home side struggled to find a breakthrough against a disciplined opposition that remained organised and dangerous whenever opportunities emerged to attack.
Lazio returned after the break with the same determination, and their second goal arrived in the 66th minute. Gustav Isaksen finished confidently with his left foot to double the advantage, leaving Juventus with a difficult task as the visitors moved closer to a significant away victory.
Three minutes later, Gattuso introduced Dele-Bashiru, replacing Kenneth Taylor in the 69th minute. The substitution gave the Nigerian midfielder an opportunity to make an impact as Lazio sought to protect their advantage while remaining a threat on the counterattack.
He made the opportunity count spectacularly in the 89th minute.
Collecting the ball inside his own half, Dele-Bashiru surged forward on a powerful solo run, carrying possession deep into Juventus territory before entering the penalty area and calmly slotting a low finish past the goalkeeper.
It was a goal that combined pace, strength, composure and attacking instinct. Rather than simply helping Lazio see out the match, the 25-year-old provided a decisive finishing touch that underlined the danger he can pose when given space to drive forward.
The strike was also an important personal milestone for the midfielder, coming just a week after he returned to action following the hamstring injury he sustained against Bologna on August 24.
His return and immediate contribution offered encouragement for both club and country, with Nigeria continuing to rely on players capable of making an impact in Europe’s major leagues.
Beyond the individual brilliance, the result represented a significant achievement for Lazio. According to the match report, it was only the third time the club had won by at least three goals away against Juventus, following similar victories in March 1964 and May 1995.
Gattuso was delighted with the performance, particularly the mentality shown by his players after a period in which doubts had surrounded the team’s prospects.
The Italian coach recalled how some observers had written Lazio off and predicted they would be fighting against relegation. Instead, his players have responded with determination, confidence and a growing belief in the direction he is taking the team.
Gattuso credited the squad for the progress, praising their professionalism and commitment to the work being done on the training ground.
He also highlighted the strong bond developing within the group, describing the atmosphere as that of a family despite the club’s limited spending during the summer transfer window.
For the former Italy international, the victory was evidence that determination, tactical discipline and collective responsibility can help a team overcome expectations, even when financial resources are limited.
However, Gattuso was careful not to allow the impressive result to create unrealistic expectations. Although Lazio are level on points with Inter Milan, he insisted that the team must concentrate on its immediate responsibilities rather than becoming distracted by the league table.
He urged his players to enjoy the achievement before returning to work ahead of their next fixture against Parma.
The message reflects a cautious approach from a coach who understands that a promising start is only the beginning of a demanding campaign. Lazio must maintain their consistency if they hope to remain among the leading contenders as the season progresses.
Dele-Bashiru’s contribution could also become increasingly important as the team navigates its upcoming fixtures. After returning from injury, the midfielder will be eager to build his fitness, secure more playing time and establish himself as a regular contributor under Gattuso.
The Nigerian, who has earned 19 caps for the Super Eagles, now has an opportunity to turn his impressive return into sustained performances for his club.
Lazio will host Parma on Saturday, with the possibility of moving above Inter Milan and into outright first place if they win before the league leaders play Fiorentina the following day.
For now, the emphatic victory over Juventus provides a powerful statement about Lazio’s ambitions and the spirit within their squad. For Dele-Bashiru, it was also a reminder of how quickly a difficult period on the sidelines can give way to a defining moment on the pitch.
His late solo goal brought the contest to a close, but its significance could extend beyond one evening in Turin. If he can maintain his fitness and build on this performance, the midfielder may yet become an increasingly influential figure in Gattuso’s plans as Lazio pursue a memorable Serie A campaign.
