Roma 2–2 Inter: Kone's double erased as Lautaro strikes twice in comeback

Manu Koné scored twice in the first half as Roma beat Inter in a Serie A matchday 5 fixture. The French midfielder opened the scoring at 1–0 before adding a second goal to put Roma 2–0 ahead, achieving a milestone that had eluded Roma players for 13 years: at least two goals in the opening 45 minutes against Inter. Koné's brace places him among an elite group in Roma's history. He becomes the fifth Roma player to score two or more goals in the first half against Inter, joining Francesco Totti (2013), Abel Balbo (1995), Francesco Graziani (1986) and Roberto Pruzzo (1980).

Roma take on Inter in their fifth Serie A match of the season at the Olimpico, with defender Gianluca Mancini in the spotlight after rejecting approaches from the Nerazzurri during the summer transfer window. Mancini committed his future to Roma by signing a new contract through 2029, turning down Inter's interest to extend his stay at the club. The Curva Sud supporters' section marked the occasion with a banner reading: "In a game where only money counts, there is someone who listened to his heart… honour to Gianluca Mancini." The display underscores the depth of feeling among Roma's ultras towards a player who chose loyalty over a potential move to one of Serie A's biggest clubs.

Manu Koné's first-half brace gave Roma a 2–0 lead over Inter under Gasperini, with the second goal sparking initial uncertainty before confirmation. The midfielder's second strike appeared offside when Gianluca Mancini deflected Paulo Dybala's cross, triggering immediate concern on the pitch and in the stands. VAR intervention, however, revealed that Koné was behind the ball at the moment of Mancini's touch, making the goal valid. The decision prompted wild celebration among Roma players and supporters. In the stands, Davide Orsato, the former referee now serving as match designator, decoded the action instantly—spotting the goal's legitimacy before the on-field referee Massa made the official announcement. Koné's unexpected double, and its validation, energised the giallorossi heading into the second half.

Nahuel Molina spoke to the media ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Inter, the fifth match of the season. The defender emphasised the need for continued focus in the dressing room, stating that the team must maintain their current approach for the remainder of the match. Speaking to DAZN, Molina said: "We must continue to work and play like this for 50 minutes." His comments underlined Roma's determination to sustain their performance level against their opponents.

Nahuel Molina spoke to DAZN during half-time of Roma's match against Inter. The defender expressed his team's determination to maintain their intensity through the second half, saying: "We told each other in the dressing room that we need to keep working for another 50 minutes, until the end."

Roma and Inter meet in the final fixture before the international break on 19 September, both sides unbeaten and top of Serie A on maximum points. Gasperini has announced all his players are available but is monitoring the condition of Wesley and N'Dicka, signalling that Balerdi will start; Inter will be without Calhanoglu and Stones, with Akanji and Zielinski drafted in to replace them. Both teams will pay tribute before kickoff to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend and Italy internationalist who died at 83 overnight. The match represents a statement game between the league's two strongest starts to the 2026-27 campaign. Roma's defensive contingencies suggest caution in their approach, while Inter's midfield reshuffle highlights their own injury burden as the window closes on the first international break of the season.

Manu Koné's first-half brace gave Roma a 2–0 lead over Inter under Gasperini, with the second goal sparking initial uncertainty before confirmation. The midfielder's second strike appeared offside when Gianluca Mancini deflected Paulo Dybala's cross, triggering immediate concern on the pitch and in the stands. VAR intervention, however, revealed that Koné was behind the ball at the moment of Mancini's touch, making the goal valid. The decision prompted wild celebration among Roma players and supporters. In the stands, Davide Orsato, the former referee now serving as match designator, decoded the action instantly—spotting the goal's legitimacy before the on-field referee Massa made the official announcement. Koné's unexpected double, and its validation, energised the giallorossi heading into the second half.

The Curva Sud unfurled a banner to fire up Roma ahead of their match against Inter at the Olimpico. The stadium was completely sold out with over 65,000 spectators for a fixture already carrying scudetto implications. The banner read: "Who has an entire people by their side need not fear any obstacle. Do not hesitate before anything, come on lads. Fight for your people." Roma and Inter are contending for first place, level on twelve points after four wins apiece in the league. Dybala and his teammates harbour title ambitions, with one particular goal in focus: breaking the curse against Inter. Roma's last home victory over the Milanese side dates back to 2016.

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Gian Piero Gasperini made only one change in midfield for Roma's Serie A clash against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, selecting Matías Soulé ahead of Niccolò Pisilli in the attacking midfield role. The head coach favoured continuity against Cristian Chivu's side in matchday five, keeping the core of the team that had started the season well. The defensive line remained settled: Mile Svilar in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in the three-man defence. Nahuel Molina and Wesley operated on the flanks, while Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante held the midfield. Donyell Malen, who had been prominent in Roma's opening fixtures, led the attack, supported by Paulo Dybala and Soulé. Leonardo Balerdi dropped to the bench. Roma's starting XI: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen.

Roma host Inter at the Olimpico in a top-of-the-table clash, both sides arriving unbeaten after four matches and seeking to reach the first international break in first place. Gasperini has a full squad available with no absences. In defence, the established trio of Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso is confirmed, with no surprise inclusion for Balerdi. Molina and Wesley operate on the flanks, Koné and Cristante patrol midfield, and Soulé lines up in the attacking three behind Malen, with Dybala in support. Roma field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal, Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso at the back, Molina and Wesley as wing-backs, Cristante and Koné in central midfield, Soulé and Dybala in the attacking midfield positions, and Malen as the lead forward. On the bench are Gollini, De Marzi, Ghilardi, Rensch, Koulierakis, Lulli, Pisilli, Pellegrini, de Roon, Castro and Mora. Inter deploy a 3-5-2 with Martinez, Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni in defence, Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones and Dimarco in midfield, and Lautaro Martinez and Thuram in attack.

Santiago Castro has praised the atmosphere at Roma ahead of tomorrow's match against Inter, saying the coach creates an environment where every player feels valued. Speaking to DAZN hours before kick-off, the 21-year-old Argentine highlighted the quality of his teammates and Gasperini's man-management approach. "With him you never feel like a reserve or a starter," Castro said. "You always have to be ready, always at your best, both in training and in matches. That's really important and I think it makes all the players feel good." Castro, who joined Roma from Bologna, drew a contrast between the two clubs' squads. "When you arrive at a team like Roma you find players in front of you like Dybala, Malen, Pellegrini, Soulé and now Rodrigo Mora has also arrived. We have many high-level players," he explained. "At Bologna I found many quality players too, like Bernardeschi, Orsolini, Rowe, Zirkzee and Ndoye. I'm happy because I can take something from every teammate and always learn." He singled out Dybala and Malen for special praise, describing them as players who impress fans every week but reveal far more in daily training. "Paulo has a left foot that few people have. I think he's one of the best left-footed players in Italy's history, even at world level," Castro said. "From Donyell you have to take that meanness to go and score goals, the cunning, the movements he has and then the shot, which is crazy." Gasperini's tactical demands on Castro focus on positioning and team play. "The main thing the manager asks me is to always keep my body facing the goal, not to always play with my back to goal because that way I'm not dangerous," Castro explained. "He asks me to always be in the match, to attack, to play for the team. For him it's important to score goals, but also to give an assist, because that's something that helps the team and gives a great hand to everyone." Castro also reflected on his debut at the Olimpico against Atalanta, calling it "a moment of great pride" and crediting the fans for their support during the match. On Inter's challenge, Castro acknowledged the quality of both squads. "It will always be difficult to face teams with this type of players, because they also, like us, have world-class players and big names," he said. "It will be a beautiful match to watch from outside: a hot stadium, two teams that arrive well, with the same points, many goals scored and few conceded. It will definitely be nice to see." Roma and Inter sit level on points after four matches. Castro also praised Lautaro Martinez as "a very strong player" and captain of one of Italy's biggest teams.