Lautaro Martínez Brace Keeps Inter in Pursuit of Frontrunners
Inter forward Lautaro Martínez netted a second-half brace to earn his team a 2-0 win at Pisa, ensuring the visitors firmly engaged in the Serie A title race despite a less than convincing display.
League Table Update
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed third in the table with 27 points, level with second-placed Roma and just one point adrift of table-toppers Milan. In contrast, Pisa occupy the 18th position with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter traveled in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a derby defeat by Milan recently, followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. However, they were forced to fight all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts generated plenty of chances, but a efficient Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute mark when Argentinian Martínez drilled a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The forward then tapped in from close range with seven minutes remaining.
Inter’s capacity to score even with difficult circumstances proved decisive in earning three points.
Other European Action
Across in Spain, the Basque side staged a dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into stoppage time. Villarreal’s scoring came from Ayoze Pérez just after the half-hour mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler quickly reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. However, Moleiro had the final say deep into added time.
In the late Spanish fixture, Real Madrid journey to Girona needing a win to go back to the summit above Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 win over Alavés on Saturday.
- Inter stay in close contention for the Italian title.
- Martínez demonstrated his worth with a match-winning performance.
- The battle for first continues with several teams in the mix.
