Rovella’s Operation Opens Door For Dele-Bashiru’s Possible Return

Lazio continue to move through a season marked by confusion, inconsistency, and a series of unexpected complications. The situation involving Nicolò Rovella has become emblematic of the club’s struggles, illustrating how valuable time has been lost due to decisions that, in hindsight, proved misguided.

After months of discomfort, Rovella has finally chosen to undergo surgery to resolve the pubalgia that has troubled him since early autumn. The midfielder initially opted for a conservative recovery plan, hoping to avoid an operation and return gradually. That attempt failed. The pain resurfaced to the point where the only viable solution was surgery, a decision taken in full agreement with the club’s medical staff.

According to Sky Sport, Rovella is expected to need around forty days of recovery. If all goes well, he could be back at Maurizio Sarri’s disposal by early January, although much will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation.

In the meantime, Lazio must decide how to adjust the official Serie A squad list. With Rovella unavailable for an extended period, the club is evaluating whether to replace him. The most likely option is Dele Bashiru, who was excluded from the list in September to make room for Toma Basic. The Nigerian midfielder has now recovered from the physical problems that kept him out for more than a month and is once again available.

His situation, however, contains another layer of uncertainty. Dele Bashiru has already missed two call-ups from the Senegal national team, and his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations is at risk. Everything will depend on Sarri’s choices over the coming weeks. The coach could decide to reintegrate him immediately, or he may opt to wait until January, when the transfer market opens and squad decisions will become more flexible.

The Rovella case, together with the unresolved situations in midfield, paints a clear picture of the challenges Lazio face as they navigate a season that has proven far more chaotic than anticipated. The coming weeks will be decisive, both for the player’s recovery and for the club’s choices as they attempt to restore balance before entering the second half of the campaign.