Dele Alli was named in a matchday squad for the first time in two years as AS Roma secured a narrow victory over 10-man Como in Serie A. The 28-year-old midfielder’s last competitive appearance came in February 2023 for Turkish side Besiktas.
After a period of personal struggles and time away from the professional game, Alli spent a month training with Serie A side Como, managed by former Spain international Cesc Fabregas. This led to him signing an initial 18-month contract with Roma in January 2025. He had been without a club since leaving Everton in June 2024, although he continued training with the club under then-manager Sean Dyche.
In a widely publicized interview with Gary Neville in July 2023, Dele Alli courageously opened up about his difficult childhood, including experiences of sexual abuse and dealing drugs at a young age. He also spoke about his struggles with alcohol and sleeping pills during his career, but emphasized his determination to return to football after receiving support.
The match itself saw Como take a surprise lead just before halftime through Lucas de Cunha. Roma equalized in the 61st minute through Alexis Saelemaekers, shortly before Como were reduced to 10 men when Marc-Oliver Kempf received a second yellow card. Artem Dovbyk scored the winning goal for Claudio Ranieri’s Roma in the 76th minute.
The victory lifts Roma to eighth in Serie A, six points behind fourth-placed Juventus. Como, meanwhile, remain in 13th place, six points clear of the relegation zone. While Alli did not feature in the match, his inclusion in the squad represents a significant step in his personal and professional journey back to competitive football.
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