After a long wait, he returned to the pitch, but his comeback match ended in a nightmare. Dele Alli (29, Como 1907) played in an official match for the first time in two years, but was sent off just 10 minutes after receiving a red card.

On 16th (Korean time), Alli was substituted in the 36th minute of the second half during the Serie A Round 29 match against AC Milan at the Stadio San Siro in Milan, Italy for the 2024-2025 season. This was his first official match appearance in about 25 months since his time at Beşiktaş in February 2023.

There was no emotional return. In the stoppage time of the second half, Alli committed a foul by stepping on Ruben Loftus-Cheek's (AC Milan) ankle, initially receiving a yellow card, but it was changed to a red card after a video review (VAR). Ultimately, he had to leave the field without even playing for 10 minutes.

Sergio Fabregas, the coach who gave Alli the opportunity in this match, could not hide his disappointment. In an interview after the match with DAZN, he noted, "Alli is a player who can score goals, but he has only been with us for two weeks. Honestly, I'm not sure if he was qualified to play."

He continued, "His foul was a clear red card. As an experienced player, he should not make such mistakes. At a crucial moment when our team needed to exert full effort to level the score at 2-2, he left us with 10 players. Such mistakes must not be repeated."

There were also intense reactions from the bench. Coach Fabregas was sent off after arguing strongly with the referee due to accumulated warnings. As a result, Como could not avoid a 1-2 defeat, losing both Alli and the coach at the same time.

The stance of the club's leadership was different. Mirwan Suarso, the president of Como, expressed trust in Alli. He emphasized through his social media that "Alli returned to the pitch after nearly two years. It takes tremendous courage to come back to compete at the highest level."

He added, "Many will talk about the red card, but we saw things differently. We witnessed his passion and resilience, and we believe he will shine again. The road to recovery is never easy, but he will not give up. Alli's best moments are yet to come."

Once considered one of England's top young talents, Alli enjoyed his prime while forming the 'DESK Line' with Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min, and Harry Kane at Tottenham. In the 2016-2017 season, he scored 18 goals and provided 7 assists, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, establishing himself as a key midfielder for Tottenham.

However, he fell into a rapid decline after 2018, causing his position to become precarious. He was pushed out of Tottenham due to attitude controversies and declining performance and failed to rebound even after moving to Everton. Later, he was loaned to Beşiktaş JK, but only scored 3 goals in 15 matches.

On top of that, personal issues compounded his situation. In an interview with 'The Overlap' last year, he confessed to experiencing abuse and mental anguish during his childhood. He stated, "I was abused by a friend of my mother when I was six. I smoked at seven and sold drugs at eight," revealing a shocking past.

Ultimately, he received treatment at a rehabilitation facility for mental health issues and embarked on a new challenge by signing a contract with Como after a long break.

Alli signed a contract with Como in January, marking his first challenge in Italy. The contract is for 18 months and includes an option for a one-year extension. Coach Fabregas expressed optimism, saying, "The club believes in Alli's potential. His experience and leadership will be a significant asset to the team."

In his comeback match, he was sent off just 10 minutes into the game, further jeopardizing his position. After the match, the British 'Telegraph' reported, "Alli had the worst start in his Serie A debut by receiving a red card just 10 minutes in."

Due to the expulsion, there is a possibility of additional disciplinary action, making it unclear when he will get another opportunity.

Alli still dreams of success as a football player. He has vowed to make a comeback, stating his goal to participate in the 2026 North American World Cup.

His talent, which recorded 51 goals and 34 assists in 194 matches in the Premier League, cannot be ignored. However, his disappointing performance and expulsion in the comeback match have given him a harsher reality.

Will Alli be able to get another chance at Como and regain his former glory? His challenge has just begun, but it seems there are still many mountains to climb.

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