AC Milan showcased their trademark resilience once again, overcoming a first-half deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against Como at San Siro. This marked their second consecutive Serie A comeback, solidifying their reputation as a team capable of flipping momentum in critical moments. Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders delivered decisive second-half strikes, while Dele Alli’s ill-fated return to competitive football compounded Como’s frustrations. The win extends Milan’s unbeaten streak against Como to 14 matches across all competitions, a run stretching back to the 1984/85 season.
The visitors defied expectations in the opening act, dictating play with crisp passing and defensive discipline. Lucas Da Cunha broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, curling a left-footed strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner—a goal that silenced the San Siro and underscored Como’s tactical precision. Earlier, Milan’s Yunus Musah had squandered a golden opportunity, rounding goalkeeper Jean Butez only to fire wide from a tight angle, a miss that momentarily deflated the hosts’ early momentum.Como nearly doubled their lead before halftime when Marc-Oliver Kempf met a cross unmarked, but Mike Maignan’s reflex save kept Milan within touching distance. The halftime whistle drew jeers from the home crowd, reflecting growing discontent with Milan’s disjointed defending and lack of creativity.
Six minutes into the second half, Da Cunha thought he’d scored again, slotting past Maignan after a deflected run, but VAR ruled the goal offside by the slimmest of margins. This decision proved pivotal. Within two minutes, Pulisic equalized with a clinical half-volley from Reijnders’ floated pass, arcing his effort into the far corner to reignite Milan’s hopes.
The Dutch midfielder completed the reversal in the 75th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet a cutback and slot home from close range. Como’s night deteriorated further in stoppage time when Dele Alli, making his first appearance in over two years, received a straight red card for stamping on Ruben Loftus-Cheek—a rash challenge that epitomized the visitors’ unraveling.
Milan’s coach acknowledged the team’s uneven performance but lauded their mental fortitude: “We faced a well-organized side, and our first-half struggles were evident. But the players showed character when it mattered. These comebacks aren’t luck—they’re built on belief and hard work.” His halftime substitutions, including the introduction of Tammy Abraham, injected fresh energy, with Abraham’s hold-up play pivotal in Reijnders’ winner.Conceição’s focus on incremental progress was clear: “We’re improving physically and tactically, but consistency remains key. Wins like this accelerate that process.”
Como’s manager rued missed opportunities: “The disallowed goal shifted the momentum. At this level, small margins decide games, and today they went against us.” On Alli’s dismissal, he added, “Dele’s eager to contribute, but emotions got the better of him. We’ll learn from this.”
The victory lifts Milan to seventh place with 47 points, five adrift of fourth-placed Juventus in the race for Champions League qualification. While Conceição’s men have shown flashes of brilliance, their inconsistency—evident in just three back-to-back league wins this season—remains a hurdle. For Como, the defeat extends their winless streak to three matches, leaving them 13th with 29 points.
AC Milan’s latest comeback underscores a team learning to thrive under pressure. While defensive frailties persist, their ability to rally—a trait honed under Conceição’s tenure—keeps their European dreams alive. As the season enters its decisive phase, blending this fighting spirit with tactical discipline could yet propel Milan into the top four. For Como, regrouping mentally and cutting out self-inflicted errors will be critical to securing their Serie A status.