Manu Koné found a finish he had rarely shown in Italy, striking twice inside the opening half-hour as Roma faced Inter Milan in Saturday’s Serie A meeting.
The France international, 25, started in midfield for Roma on the fifth matchday and matched, before half-time, the scoring totals he had recorded across each of his previous two seasons in the Italian capital.
Koné strikes twice before the break
Roma were ahead after only six minutes. Paulo Dybala delivered a cross and Nahuel Molina, arriving at the far post, headed the ball back into the area. Koné met the lay-off with a volley to put his side in front.
His second came from another Dybala delivery from the right. Gianluca Mancini made initial contact before the ball reached Koné, who finished from close range with his left foot in a single movement.
The second goal was subject to a lengthy VAR review, but it was eventually confirmed, completing an unusual first-half double for a midfielder not previously known for his goalscoring output.
