Reijnders saves Milan as Dele Alli sent off on Como debut
Tijjani Reijnders saved AC Milan's skin in Saturday's 2-1 win against Serie A upstarts Como, who gave Dele Alli his debut from the bench only for the former England international to be sent off moments later.
Netherlands midfielder Reijnders struck in the 76th minute after a brilliant Tammy Abraham pass as Milan came from behind to placate angry home fans and move up to seventh in Italy's top flight.
Sergio Conceicao's side are three points from the European places in large thanks to Reijnders who also slipped in Christian Pulisic to level the scores seven minutes after the break.
The 26-year-old also hit the bar shortly before rolling home his 13th goal of the season in all competitions, and went close to netting again with five minutes remaining.
"I always try my best for the team, to be important with goals and assists. Luckily today I could do it for the team," Reijnders told DAZN.
Reijnders' performance saved his teammates from a severe barracking at the end of the match as they were loudly booed and whistled off the pitch at half-time with Milan trailing to Lucas Da Cunha's 33rd-minute strike.
Regardless supporters continued to demand that owners, US investment firm RedBird, sell the club as they have at all recent matches, irritated by inconsistent displays below their lofty expectations.
"That's something that this season we are suffering from. I don't think it's the sharpness but we make personal mistakes and those things can happen," Reijnders added.
"We have to keep improving as I've said multiple times this season."
- Dele Alli disaster -
Defeat was harsh on Como who performed well on one of football's biggest stages and stay safely nestled in 13th place, seven points above the relegation zone.
Da Cunha was also unlucky not to double Como's lead moments before Pulisic's leveller as his goal was ruled out for a razor-thin offside.
"I think we played incredibly well... if I have to lose, let me lose like that because it's so enjoyable to see players play like that," said Como coach Cesc Fabregas.
The evening ended in the worst possible way for the lakeside club when late substitute Dele, who is trying to revive his career after a troubled few years since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, was shown a straight red card in the final minute for a rash challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Fabregas also saw red for dissent shortly afterwards as Como make the short trip back from Milan with nothing from another creditable display against more illustrious opposition.
"Dele Alli is a player who can score you a goal so I decided to give him that opportunity," said Fabregas.
"It's a serious mistake for a player of his experience in my opinion, there's nothing else to say. It was a clear red."
Verona boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation by winning 1-0 at Udinese which moved them seven points from the drop zone, while rock-bottom Monza edged closer to Serie B with a 1-1 draw with Parma.
td/mw
Topics
-
Dele Alli sent off in first match for two years
Former England midfielder Dele Alli is sent off in his first professional match for two years as new club Como are beaten by AC Milan in Serie A.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Milan complete turnaround to beat Como as Dele Alli is sent off on debut
Every Serie A match is available to watch LIVE with Home of Serie A on OneFootball to users in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Find out more here.Milan came back from a goal behind to register 2-1 ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Dele Alli sent off 10 minutes into Serie A debut – despite Kyle Walker’s protests
Dele Alli endured a nightmare return on his first competitive appearance in more than two years as he was sent off less than 10 minutes into his debut for Serie A side Como.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Former England player Dele Alli gets sent off after 9 minutes in first soccer match in two years
Dele Alli’s first professional appearance in more than two years lasted just nine minutes before he was sent off. The former England international was shown a straight red card late on in Como’s ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Dele Alli sent off 9 minutes into Como debut
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.ESPN - 2d -
Reijnders and Pulisic rescue Rossoneri: Player ratings for Milan-Como from Italian papers
Following AC Milan’s important 2-1 win against Como, the Italian newspapers have shared their verdicts on each player, with Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic named as the best. Pulisic got Mi...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Pulisic scores again to help Milan fight back to beat Como 2-1 in Serie A
Christian Pulisic scored again on Saturday to help AC Milan earn another comeback victory in Serie A with a 2-1 home win over Como. Tijjani Reijnders set up Pulisic’s second-half equalizer before ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Watch: Reijnders puts Milan 2-1 up over Como after brilliant Abraham assist
AC Milan completed a second half comeback against Como, with Tijjani Reijnders getting his 13th goal of the campaign in the closing stages.With 15 minutes left on the clock, the Rossoneri got ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
GdS: Milan must build around Pulisic and Reijnders core – numbers are clear
Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders helped AC Milan turn 0-1 down to 2-1 up against Como on Saturday evening. As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, they make up the foundation of the ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 20h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Brink 'icked out' by replies to Sparks' male tryouts
Sparks forward Cameron Brink said she was unsettled by the response she saw online to a call by the team for men to try out for the practice squad.ESPN - 28m -
Players file suits vs. ATP, WTA: 'Tennis is broken'
Multiple lawsuits were filed Tuesday by the PTPA and 22 players against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA, alleging anticompetitive business practices, monopolizing of professional tennis and systemic abuse.ESPN - 28m -
Ohtani 'nervous' in Tokyo but gets 2 hits, runs
Shohei Ohtani said it had been "a while since I felt this nervous playing a game," but managed two hits and two runs Tuesday as the Dodgers won their Opening Day game in Tokyo.ESPN - 28m -
Steelers' Heyward fed up waiting on Rodgers
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said on his podcast Tuesday that he has no plans to recruit Aaron Rodgers and that he just wants Pittsburgh's quarterback situation settled.ESPN - 28m -
Tracy Morgan: Food poisoning caused MSG illness
Tracy Morgan says food poisoning was to blame for his taking ill during Monday's Knicks-Heat game, and that he's "doing OK."ESPN - 28m