WIN OR BUST!

•Dele-Bashiru, Dessers, Balogun in must-win Europa q’final clashes

Three Nigerian stars face defining moments on Thursday night as they battle to keep their European dreams alive in what promise to be thrilling UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg ties, PETER AKINBO writes

Super Eagles striker, Cyriel Dessers, and defender, Leon Balogun, must overcome Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao at the intimidating San Mames Stadium, while midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s Lazio need a dramatic comeback against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in Rome.

Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers (Dessers, Balogun)

For Rangers duo Dessers and Balogun, the task is clear following last week’s resilient goalless draw at Ibrox despite playing with 10 men for over 80 minutes. The Scottish side must now find a way past Athletic Bilbao on Spanish soil, where the Basque club have maintained a perfect Europa League home record this season with five wins from five matches.

Athletic manager, Ernesto Valverde, has pinpointed Dessers as a particular threat ahead of the decisive clash.

“Dessers is constantly running to the space, being a reference player, a beacon for his team. He’s a dangerous player,” Valverde said at his pre-match press conference.

The former Barcelona coach also acknowledged the threat posed by Rangers’ Czech winger, Vaclav Cerny, describing him as ‘a bullet that is very precise when it comes to defining moments.’

Rangers’ interim coach, Barry Ferguson, meanwhile, faces an anxious wait over Balogun’s fitness after the 36-year-old Nigerian defender, who delivered a commanding performance in the first leg, missed the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Aberdeen.

“If somebody is touch and go, I am not going to risk them because I need people who can go to war,” Ferguson said when asked about Balogun’s availability.

“What an opportunity this is, not just for the group of players but the club to hopefully get into the Europa League semi-finals.”

Despite his inconsistent form this season, Dessers is expected to lead the Rangers attack as they aim to reach the semi-finals for the second time in four years. The Nigeria international has proven effective in big European away games, scoring crucial goals against Real Betis, Manchester United and Fenerbahce this season.

Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield highlighted this quality in his column, writing, “I expect to see Dessers leading the line. He’s a guy who will always split opinion because of the sheer number of chances he misses and yet, he’s approaching 50 goals inside two seasons. He’s a player who comes alive in the bigger games.”

Lazio vs Bodo/Glimt (Fisayo Dele-Bashiru)

In Rome, Dele-Bashiru and Lazio face an even steeper mountain to climb after suffering a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat to Bodo/Glimt in Norway last week.

The Biancocelesti must overturn this deficit to reach their first European semi-final since 2018, but history is against them. Lazio have never overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit in European competition.

The 24-year-old Dele-Bashiru, who started in the weekend’s 1-1 Rome derby against AS Roma, will need to rediscover his best form if Lazio are to make history. The Nigerian midfielder has been productive in Europe this season with two goals and two assists in eight Europa League appearances, suggesting he could be the catalyst for a dramatic turnaround.

Dele-Bashiru’s energy, ability to drive forward from midfield, and physical strength will be crucial as Marco Baroni’s side aim to dominate the Norwegians at the Stadio Olimpico.

With Athletic Bilbao determined to reach the final at their own stadium on May 21, and Bodo/Glimt aiming to become the first Norwegian club to reach a European semi-final, both ties promise to be intensely competitive affairs where only the strongest will survive.