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Roma 2–2 Inter: Koné scores twice as fatigue sets in after the break
·19 September 2026·45d ago

Roma 2–2 Inter: Koné scores twice as fatigue sets in after the break

Source: Roma News

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a match shaped by a stark contrast between the sides' first and second halves. Manu Koné scored twice for Roma—once to open the scoring early and again to double the lead—but Lautaro Martínez levelled before the interval ended and added a second in the second half, when Roma's resistance crumbled. The hosts began with intensity and control under Gasperini, but a pattern of conceding goals immediately after the restart proved decisive once more. Several Roma players arrived for the match with depleted energy; the upcoming international break will offer a chance to recharge.

Mancini had a difficult afternoon and took responsibility for Roma's defensive lapses, notably on Martínez's first goal. Balerdi was composed and physical against Thuram, lasting just over an hour before withdrawal. Hermoso maintained positional discipline but lacked sharpness in execution. Wesley patrolled the flank tirelessly, shutting down Dimarco's advances repeatedly. Cristante operated as the engine room, covering more ground than any other Roma player. Koné's two-goal display was the bright spark—a particularly sharp irony given he could have joined Inter instead—though his early withdrawal raised questions about fatigue management. Dybala orchestrated Roma's attacking play in the first half with incisive passes that set up Koné's goals and fulfilled defensive duties, though he too faded after the break. Soulé provided quality when he found space, running the full 90 minutes with consistency. Malen troubled Bastoni with his movement and nearly broke through.

Molina crafted the assist for Koné's opener with an impeccable header after reading the play perfectly. N'Dicka entered at the hour mark and worked to hold the defensive line steady, earning a yellow card for a necessary foul on Thuram. Pisilli came on at 59 minutes but lacked Koné's substance and appeared tentative. Rensch struggled to impose himself when Inter pressed hard. Ghilardi joined the proceedings at 65 minutes and quickly picked up a yellow card; his challenge on Thuram was insufficient. Koulierakis received a caution immediately upon entering late on. Svilar made a miraculous save from a corner and could not be faulted for the two Martínez finishes, maintaining his high standards throughout.

Gasperini had urged the team to tighten up after the interval, yet Roma conceded again in the second half and allowed Inter back into the contest. The manager salvaged a point against a strong opponent, though the manner of the collapse—defensive errors and fatigue after 59 minutes of substitutions—left room for frustration. The international break arrives at a timely moment to restore freshness across the squad.

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Story Coverage3 sources on this story

Roma drew 2–2 with Inter at the Olimpico in a thrilling encounter that keeps both teams level at the top of Serie A on 13 points. Manu Koné was the dominant force of the first half, scoring twice—a perfectly-timed volley after six minutes and a precise finish at the 37-minute mark—to give Roma a commanding 2–0 lead. His performance earned him an average rating of 7.9 across Italian media, making him the standout player of the opening phase of Roma's 2026–27 season. Inter reorganized under Chivu after the interval, with Lautaro Martínez scoring twice to equalize and hand the visitors a comeback. Koné's withdrawal at the 60th minute coincided with Roma's loss of control, a pattern that reflects a recurring vulnerability: conceding goals early in the second half, as has also occurred against Atalanta and Fenerbahçe this season.

The result extends Roma's unbeaten start—four wins and two draws across their opening fixtures—but exposes defensive fragility that frustrated players and coaching staff alike. Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina also contributed significantly, though Gianluca Mancini registered the lowest average rating at 5.3 after an error leading to Martínez's opening goal. Matías Soulé completed 90 minutes with intensity, delivering one of Roma's standout performances and acknowledging the team's frustration but emphasizing their ability to compete with Serie A's defending champions. Koné's two-goal display wrote him into Roma's history as only the fifth player ever to score a first-half brace against Inter at home, joining Roberto Pruzzo, Ciccio Graziani, Abel Balbo and Francesco Totti.

The international break presents a significant challenge to Gasperini's plans, with only seven Roma players remaining available during the roughly 20-day absence: Mile Svilar, Pierluigi Gollini, Mario Hermoso, Molina, Devyne Rensch, Marten de Roon and Dybala—though Dybala will depart for several days to attend Lionel Messi's farewell international match. Roma will draw on Primavera players and schedule friendly matches to maintain fitness during the break.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Tutti i gol presi dalla Roma si collocano in avvio di ripresa, praticamente. Lanciamo una petizione per abolire l’intervallo. Scherzi a parte, i giallorossi contro l’Inter partono con la marcia inserita, grandissimo primo tempo della squadra di Gasperini che la sblocca quasi subito con Koné, lo…”

Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.

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