Dele Alli made his long-awaited return to a matchday squad for the first time in two years as Como suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The 28-year-old midfielder, who last played in February 2023 for Turkish side Besiktas, has endured a turbulent few years but is now aiming to revive his career in Serie A.
Having been without a club since leaving Everton in June, Dele continued training under former Toffees boss Sean Dyche before securing a trial with Como. After impressing in training, the former England international earned an 18-month contract with the club, which is managed by Spanish World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas.
In an emotional interview with Gary Neville in July 2023, Dele revealed the personal struggles he had been facing, including childhood abuse, substance use, and mental health challenges. His candid revelations drew widespread support, and he has since focused on rebuilding his career and life off the pitch.
His return to the squad was a significant milestone, though he did not feature in the match. Como took a surprise lead just before halftime through Lucas de Cunha, raising hopes of a famous victory. However, Roma responded strongly in the second half, with Alexis Saelemaekers equalizing in the 61st minute. Como’s hopes of holding on for a point were dented just two minutes later when Marc-Oliver Kempf received his second yellow card, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
Roma capitalized on the numerical advantage, and Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk netted the winner in the 76th minute, sealing a crucial three points for Claudio Ranieri’s men. The victory moved Roma up to eighth in the Serie A table, keeping them within six points of fourth-placed Juventus.
Despite the defeat, Como remains in 13th place, six points above the relegation zone. For Dele Alli, this match represents a fresh start and a chance to rekindle the talent that once made him one of England’s brightest prospects. Fans will be eager to see him return to action and make an impact on the pitch in the coming weeks.
