AC Milan fans went from fury to relief on Saturday as Tijjani Reijnders delivered a match-winning performance in a tense 2-1 victory over Serie A newcomers Como. But the night took a dramatic twist when Dele Alli, making his much-anticipated debut, was sent off just moments after coming on.
The match started on a sour note for Milan, with Lucas Da Cunha’s 33rd-minute goal putting Como ahead and triggering loud jeers from the home crowd. Frustrated fans, already calling for club owners RedBird to sell, made their displeasure known at halftime.
But Milan found their savior in Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder first set up Christian Pulisic for the equalizer in the 52nd minute before sealing the comeback in the 76th, slotting home after a brilliant assist from Tammy Abraham. He nearly added another, rattling the crossbar in a dominant display.
Meanwhile, Como, who held their own against the Italian giants, saw their hopes of a result crushed late on. Dele Alli, eager to reignite his career after years of struggles, was shown a straight red card in the dying minutes for a reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Adding to the chaos, Como’s coach Cesc Fàbregas was also sent off for dissent.
Despite the loss, Como remain in 13th place, comfortably above the relegation zone. Milan, now up to seventh, continue their push for European qualification, but tensions with the fans remain high.
