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SASSUOLO, ITALY – MARCH 01: Ismaël Koné of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Atalanta BC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on March 01, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Jonathan David has made headlines in his first season in Serie A, but there’s another Canadian player attracting attention in the Peninsula: Sassuolo midfielder Ismaël Koné.
With six goals in 30 Serie A games this season, Sassuolo and Canada midfielder Koné has emerged as one of the most exciting players in Italy’s top flight.
The 23-year-old moved to the Mapei Stadium from Marseille in the summer of 2025, so this is his first season in Serie A.
Sassuolo had a turbulent start to the season marked by inconsistency, showing flashes of brilliance that were as thrilling and unpredictable as a high-stakes session at Rocketplay casino Canada. While the team struggles to find their rhythm on the pitch, fans can find much more reliable excitement and top-tier rewards by diving into the action themselves
However, the Neroverdi, coached by 2006 Italy World Cup winner Fabio Grosso, continued the campaign with some convincing results and performances, securing survival with several games to spare.
One of their best games was on March 1, 2026, when they beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Mapei Stadium.
Koné opened the account at minute 23, receiving praise from his coach at full-time.
“It was a crazy game. The lads wrote their names in the history books of this club,” Grosso told DAZN.
“We had been looking for the icing on the cake, and this was the icing with a big cherry on top. Our opponents were coming off the Champions League, but are also very strong. Our defenders were solid and determined; it’s not easy to keep that concentration for 90 minutes.
“We’re glad to have picked up some important points, and to achieve it with a performance like this.”
Juventus striker David has made headlines in both good and bad ways in Turin, as expectations for the ex-Lille striker were high when he moved to the Allianz Stadium on a free transfer last summer.
His compatriot Koné has been somewhat more consistent than the striker, even though the Sassuolo midfielder has undoubtedly faced less pressure than David has at Juventus.
Even after his goal against Bologna, David received mixed comments from Italian pundits.
“I think David was more involved in other games than in this one, but he’s well-liked by the group, and his teammates defended him,” said ex-Milan and Italy midfielder Massimo Ambrosini.
“Spalletti has said he needs a striker who can do different things, but he has improved. I don’t see in him the ruthlessness of a penalty-box killer, something he had before arriving here. He’s always done it throughout his career, but he hasn’t shown it here yet.”
It’s undeniable that Koné has made a name for himself in his first season in Serie A, not just with his goals, but also with the impressive stamina and quality he’s shown in the middle of the park at the Mapei Stadium. Watch out for him at the 2026 World Cup and prepare for a summer of transfer speculation on the ex-Marseille man.
