English midfielder Dele Alli returned to official action after more than two years of inactivity, making his debut for Como 1907 in the 29th matchday of Serie A against Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro). However, his much-anticipated return ended on a sour note, as he was sent off in the 90th minute after a reckless challenge, just nine minutes after coming on.

Dele Alli returns to play, but is sent off in his debut

Dele Alli's last official match before this encounter was on February 26, 2023, when he played for Besiktas in a 0-0 draw against Antalyaspor. Since then, the midfielder had been sidelined from professional football due to physical and personal issues until Como, with the support of Cesc Fàbregas, offered him a chance to join the team as a free agent in January 2025. His role was not only to play but also to bring his experience to the locker room and guide the younger players.

His long-awaited return to the field came in the 81st minute when he entered the match in a difficult moment for Como, who had initially been leading but was ultimately overtaken by Milan. Hoping to help his team salvage at least a point, Alli sought to make an impact on the game, but his performance was brief and controversial.

In the 90th minute, the Englishman made a high challenge from behind, which was initially shown a yellow card. However, after reviewing the play with the VAR, the referee changed the decision and issued a straight red card. Despite protests from several players, including his compatriot Kyle Walker, who plays for Milan, the decision stood, and Alli's debut ended abruptly.

To make matters worse, just seconds later, Cesc Fàbregas, a member of the Como coaching staff, was also sent off after angrily protesting the referee's decision.

With this result, Milan completed a comeback and secured three important points, while Como 1907 was left disappointed with the loss and the bitter feeling of losing one of their most high-profile signings shortly after his debut. Now, Dele Alli will have to wait for another chance to prove he can still contribute to professional football after a long absence.