By ESPN FC | Created at 2025-03-15 22:20:13 | Updated at 2025-03-17 02:22:08
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How Dele Alli was sent off 9 minutes into his first game in 748 days (0:41)
Take a look at why Dele Alli was sent off after coming off the bench to make his Como debut vs. AC Milan. (0:41)
ESPN News Services
Mar 15, 2025, 03:28 PM ET
Dele Alli's first professional football match in 748 days lasted just nine minutes as he was shown a straight red card for a foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, shortly after coming off the bench to make his Como debut.
Alli was initially shown a yellow card which was upgraded to red after a VAR check.
Como coach Cesc Fabregas was sent off after expressing his frustration with the referee in the minutes after Alli's dismissal, but he offered no excuses for the attacking midfielder.
"Dele Alli is a goal scorer, I tried to give him an opportunity. A serious mistake by an experienced player. Clear red, he left the team at a time when it could have made it 2-2," Fabregas said to DAZN.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Everton player joined Como on an 18-month deal in January, with an option to extend for an additional year.
The 28-year-old former England international has 194 Premier League appearances, having scored 51 goals and 34 assists.
Como went on to lose the game 2-1 with United States international Christian Pulisic on the scoresheet for Milan.
It was Pulisic's third goal in two matches, taking the United States international to nine goals in Serie A and 15 in all competitions this campaign -- equalling his tally from his first season at Milan.
Milan moved up to seventh, five points below fourth-placed Juventus. Como remained seven points above the relegation zone.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.
