Lazio manager Marco Baroni has called on Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to step up his game, asserting that the Nigeria international has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Dele-Bashiru played a key role in Lazio’s 3-1 UEFA Europa League victory over Ajax on Thursday night.

Goals from Loum Tchaouna, Dele-Bashiru, and a late effort from Pedro secured the win, overturning Bertrand Traore’s equalizer.

The result sees Lazio with 16 points in the group stage after six matches.

The 23-year-old Nigerian has thrived since Baroni moved him into a two-man midfield setup, delivering consistent performances.

On Thursday, he netted Lazio’s second goal, marking his second strike in this season’s competition.

Despite Dele-Bashiru’s impressive form, Baroni has urged the young midfielder to focus on addressing his weaknesses.

“Dele-Bashiru comes from a different football where he doesn’t need as much focus,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.

“His physicality is devastating and he has good technique, but where he needs to improve and he is doing that is matching the speed of his brain to his legs.

When he does that, he becomes really a remarkable midfielder.”

The Lazio manager emphasized that with greater effort and improvement, Dele-Bashiru could boost his game to a world-class level.

Lazio fans will hope the Nigerian star continues his upward trajectory as the club pushes for success both domestically and in Europe.