Cesc Fabregas created one of the big talking points for this game, and AC Milan will rightly be annoyed by the decision to send Massimiliano Allegri off.
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When looking at the game on paper, Allegri being sent off would make most think that the Milan manager had done something, and whilst this would be partly true, it was a reaction to another action.
In the 78th minute, Fabregas grabbed Alexis Saelemaekers, preventing him from getting towards the attacking Como players. An unsportsmanlike act that shouldn’t be seen anywhere near the pitch. Yet, the officials missed it.
Instead of giving the Spaniard a red, Allegri’s reaction caused him to see red, even if he was protesting the fact that the officials missed what was a clear error.
Fabregas’s apologetic opening
Nevertheless, the Spaniard spoke after the game to apologise, but it will probably have little effect on the season. Indeed, a wrong decision which could’ve cost the Rossoneri points. MilanNews relayed his words to DAZN.
“First of all, if you’ll allow me to apologize, today I did something I’m not proud of, I did something unsportsmanlike. I was so excited I touched the ball, my hands at home, as Chivu said the other day, especially the coach.
“We can’t do this. It’s something I hope to never do again [referring to the altercation with Saelemaekers]. Then about the match… We made the first exit from the goalkeeper in the 70th minute, which means they didn’t get there.
“We played a serious game, coming here to San Siro and playing with this kind of character is nice to see, we have to continue like this.”
How proud are you of your team today?
“I’m very proud, it’s a great performance. Something we need to repeat on Saturday if we want to get points. We need to get our heads down straight away in Turin. The team shows that, one way or another, they always deliver a positive response.
“It’s important to put in a performance like this after Saturday’s defeat.”
On the goal conceded…
“It’s true that if you look closely at the play, both Ramon and Kempf got to that ball. The goalkeeper didn’t make the right choice. We lost a stupid ball; when you let these world-class players on the counterattack, you know they can hurt you.
“It’s the only play they found that matches that way. But this shows you the level: you can play a near-perfect game and score once. This is the top, maximum level, which we need to understand to get there one day.”
The hug with Modric…
“It’s a pleasure to watch him play. I congratulated him… 41 years playing at this level. We tried to press him, attack him. He doesn’t give a damn. He comes forward with twos, with threes, finds the play with the outside, one-twos, oriented control, turns.
“He’s a phenomenon. We have to thank him for being here with us in Serie A and for being able to enjoy him every week.”