Tensions flared between coaches Max Allegri and Cesc Fabregas during the Serie A match between Milan and Como on the evening of 18/2. While the two managers exchanged friendly greetings before kickoff at San Siro, the situation escalated in the 80th minute near Como's technical area. Fabregas pulled Milan midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers' shirt, an act that prevented the player from assisting in defense during a Como counter-attack.
Saelemaekers reacted immediately to the shirt-pulling, drawing intervention from a Como coaching staff member. This led to Fabregas and Allegri engaging in a heated verbal spat on the sidelines. The main referee and assistants seemingly did not observe Fabregas's initial action. Consequently, Allegri and a Como coaching staff member received red cards for their reactions, while Fabregas was only shown a yellow card.
After the match, Allegri continued his strong criticism. According to Tuttomercato, Fabregas encountered Allegri when leaving the press conference room, where the Milan coach loudly stated: "You are a child, an idiot! A kid who just became a coach yesterday." He then added sarcastically, "Next time if I see someone run past me, I will slide tackle them."
Fabregas acknowledged his unsportsmanlike conduct after the game. "I apologize, it was just a light touch and Allegri's reaction was a bit excessive, but I admit I shouldn't have done it," the Spanish coach said. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder considered his action unsportsmanlike and acknowledged he would also be angry if he were in the opposing position. "I can only apologize and hope this will not happen again in my career," Fabregas stressed.
The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw. Como opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Nico Paz capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Mike Maignan and finished into an empty net. In the second half, Rafael Leao received a long pass from Ardon Jashari and chipped the ball to equalize the score.
Milan extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to 24 matches since the opening round against Cremonese, but they trail league leaders Inter by 7 points. "We need to stay calm, continue working, and return to winning ways soon," Allegri emphasized, adding that the race is long because football always holds surprises.
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Coach Max Allegri receives a red card for an excessive reaction during AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Como in Serie A's 24th round at San Siro, Milan, Italy on 18/2/2026. *Photo: AFP* |
The Milan-Como match was originally scheduled for 8/2 but was postponed because San Siro was being used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Plans to relocate the match to Australia were considered for months but were later cancelled, and the game was only delayed by 10 days.
In Serie A's 25th round this weekend, Como will visit Juventus, while Milan will face Parma.
Hong Duy (according to Football Italy)
