Super Eagles’ fringe player, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru benefited directly on Sunday evening from a substitution error that involved his Nigerian compatriot, Ademola Lookman, Sports247 reports.
Both Nigerian attackers were on from the start at opposing ends for the Italian Serie A game in Bergamo, as Dele-Bashiru’s SS Lazio played away to Atalanta, who were banking on home advantage to help them snatch maximum points.
A win would have helped Atalanta remain in contention for the Serie A title, and they looked to claim victory with better ball possession for the better part of Sunday’s encounter, until their efforts were dealt a wicked blow by the ‘wrong’ substitution of Lookman in the 74th minute.
That was in stark contrast with Lazio’s first substitution, which saw Gustav Isakson net the game’s only goal in the 54th minute of play, just eight minutes after getting off the bench in the 46th, and the assist came from Dele-Bashiru.
Dramatically, Atalanta’s efforts to fight back saw them maintain 58% to 42% ball possession advantage on their visitors, with Lookman looking quite dangerous with each touch, but they failed to get behind the opposing defence to make hay.
In a desperate bid to make ammends, Atalanta’s coach, Gianpiero Gasperini, signalled for substitution, but their fans were shocked to see the team’s star performer, Lookman taken off in the 74th minute and replaced by the largely ineffective Lazar Samardzic.
Gasperini would later explain that a mixup in the shortened names of Lookman (Ade) and Brazilian ace, Ederson (Ede) made Atalanta’s assistant coach indicate the Nigerian attacker as the one to be substituted instead of the midfielder the gaffer wanted to replace.
Ironically, as if to prove his real intent and make amends for the mistake, Gasperini ordered two quick follow-up substitutions, with Miteo Retegui replaced in the 75th minute and Ederson also yanked off in the 78th, but his desperate moves could not stop the last laugh going out for Dele-Bashiru and his pals from Rome.
Gasperini confessed afterwards: “There was a mistake. Only Retegui was meant to come off. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding (about indicating the substitution) between Ede and Ade. We paid a high price for it.”
