AS Roma defeats Inter Milan 2-0 as Manu Koné scores brace at Stadio Olimpico

Manu Koné picked a pretty good time to have the best game of his Roma career. The 25-year-old French midfielder scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on September 19, handing the defending champions their first defeat of the Serie A season and announcing himself as one of the most dangerous midfielders in Italian football.

The result reshuffles the top of the table on matchday 5, with both teams entering the contest unbeaten and level on points. Only one left with that record intact.

Early strike sets the tone

Koné wasted no time making his intentions clear. He found the net inside the opening six minutes, finishing with his right foot after a well-timed assist from fullback Nahuel Molina.

Koné added his second to complete the brace, sealing the result and putting the game beyond Inter’s reach.

For a player who arrived from Borussia Mönchengladbach and needed time to adjust to the tactical demands of Italian football, this performance felt like a turning point. The irony is not lost on anyone paying attention: Inter Milan were reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Koné before Roma secured his services. He repaid that interest by putting two past their defense.

Koné’s evolution into a complete midfielder

Born on May 17, 2001, Koné is entering what should be the peak years of his career. His partnership with Molina on the right side of the pitch has become one of Roma’s most productive attacking channels, and the assist on the opening goal was a textbook example of that combination clicking.