Former Tottenham Hotspur and Everton star Dele Alli made his long-awaited Como debut away to AC Milan but lasted just 10 minutes before being shown a straight red card
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas has few arguments with the decision to dismiss Dele Alli just minutes into the midfielder’s Serie A debut, arguing the player made a “serious mistake”.
Dele was making his first competitive appearance in more than two years when he entered the field as a substitute in Como’s match away at AC Milan. However, the England international was shown a straight red card after a foul on compatriot Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The 28-year-old was initially shown a yellow card, only for referee Matteo Marchetti to upgrade it to red following a VAR check. This was despite Milan and England defender Kyle Walker pleading with the referee not to dismiss the Como star.
Fabregas was later sent off himself as Como suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat. After the game, though,m he made his feelings very clear on the Dele dismissal.
“Milan have world-class players, they are a good team,” Fabregas said [via Goal]. “[Dele] is a player who scores goals, at this moment he has to improve a lot and it is a serious mistake for someone of his experience.
“He left the team in difficulty, that is the negative thing of the evening,” Fabregas added. Como had taken a surprise 1-0 lead in the first half when Lucas Da Cunha fired low beyond Mike Maignan, and only a tight offside call denied the Frenchman his second of the night before Milan battled back
Christian Pulisic equalised after a smart ball from Tijjani Reijnders, and Reijnders himself bagged the winner 15 minutes from time before Dele’s late red made Como’s task harder. Fabregas’ team ended the day in 13th, still seven points clear of the drop, while Milan sit seventh after their victory.
Did Dele deserve his red card? Have your say in the comments section
“We ought to be more positive, because we have won two games in a row and have the opportunity to get where we want to be, but we’ve got to take it one game at a time,” Milan scorer Pulisic said after the win, via Football Italia. “We want to finish in the top four, so we’ve got to believe and need the fans to support the team.”
The United States international has now matched last season’s return of 15 goals, and has been tipped to extend a contract which currently runs until 2027. While that renewal is not yet official, Pulisic made clear his preference.
“Oh 100 per cent yes,” the former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund star said when asked if Milan was the club where he feels most at home. “This club has faith in me and it’s a pleasure to be here every day. I want to continue here.”
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