Dele Alli’s long-awaited return to the pitch after two years ended in disappointment, as the Como midfielder was sent off against AC Milan despite Kyle Walker’s plea to the referee.
Serie A side Como took a significant gamble by signing Dele Alli as a free agent, bringing in the midfielder who hadn’t played a professional match in over two years. However, his long-awaited debut against AC Milan ended in disappointment, as he was sent off despite Kyle Walker’s plea to the referee.
Once regarded as one of England’s brightest talents at Tottenham Hotspur, Alli’s career took a downturn due to mental health struggles, leading to a lengthy recovery process that sidelined him from competitive action for nearly two years.
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas handed Alli his return to the pitch in a crucial Serie A Matchday 29 clash against Milan. With the score at 2-1, the Englishman replaced Lucas Da Cunha in the 81st minute in an attempt to help his team find an equalizer. However, his return took a disastrous turn.
In the 89th minute, Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek won possession and surged forward on the counterattack, only to be brought down from behind by Alli. Initially, referee Matteo Marchetti issued a yellow card. But after a VAR review, replays revealed that Alli had stomped directly on Loftus-Cheek’s ankle, a reckless challenge that led the referee to upgrade the booking to a straight red card.
The incident marked a frustrating comeback for Alli, whose last professional appearance had been on February 26, 2023. Adding to the drama, AC Milan defender Kyle Walker—Alli’s former teammate at Tottenham—attempted to intervene, even grabbing the referee’s hand in an effort to change his mind. Walker, well aware of the struggles Alli has faced, tried to plead his case, but Marchetti stood firm on his decision.
Fabregas reacts to Alli’s debut
Fabregas, one of the key figures behind Alli’s signing, included the Englishman in the squad for the first time since his January arrival. Speaking in the post-match press conference, the Spanish coach gave his candid assessment of Alli’s red card:
“When they scored the 2-1, Sergi Roberto was about to come in, but I preferred to give him more time to work. Dele is a player who can score goals. I gave him an opportunity that maybe he didn’t deserve because he arrived just two weeks ago.
“He needs to improve and work harder. It’s a serious mistake considering his experience. A clear red card—he left the team with one man down when we were pushing for the equalizer,” Fabregas added, making it clear that Alli has much to prove in his bid to revive his career.
