Tijjani Reijnders Seals AC Milan Win As Dele Alli Sees Red On Como Debut

AC Milan secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Serie A newcomers Como on Saturday, thanks to a late strike from Tijjani Reijnders. The match saw Dele Alli make his long-awaited debut for Como, but the former England international’s return to action ended in disappointment as he received a straight red card in the closing moments.

Reijnders Rescues Milan After Early Setback

Milan had a tough start, trailing at halftime after Lucas Da Cunha found the net for Como in the 33rd minute. The home crowd at San Siro expressed their frustration, demanding changes from the club’s owners, RedBird Capital.

However, Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders turned the game around. The midfielder assisted Christian Pulisic’s equalizer just seven minutes into the second half. Later, in the 76th minute, Reijnders combined brilliantly with Tammy Abraham before slotting home the winning goal, marking his 13th goal of the season across all competitions. He also came close to scoring again, hitting the crossbar and missing another late opportunity.

Dele Alli’s Como Debut Ends in Controversy

Como, currently sitting 13th in Serie A and safely above the relegation zone, delivered an impressive performance at the San Siro. Their efforts, however, were overshadowed by the late-game drama involving Dele Alli. The English midfielder, who came off the bench in an attempt to revitalize his career, received a straight red card in the final minute for a reckless tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Adding to Como’s frustrations, their coach Cesc Fabregas was also dismissed for dissent moments later. Despite their solid display against Milan, Como left the stadium empty-handed, further emphasizing the competitive nature of Italy’s top flight.

Milan Moves Up in Serie A Standings

This victory propels Milan to seventh place in the league standings, just three points away from the European qualification spots. While their fans remain critical of the club’s ownership, performances like Reijnders’ could be crucial in keeping Milan’s season on track.

Final Thoughts

Despite Como’s resilience, Milan’s experience and quality shone through, with Reijnders playing a pivotal role in securing all three points. As Dele Alli works towards rebuilding his career, he will need to quickly put this setback behind him and focus on making a positive impact for his new club.

Serie A Official Website