Inter striker Lautaro Martínez netted a late brace to earn his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the visitors very much involved in the Serie A title race despite a less than convincing display.
Standings Update
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed in third position in the table with 27 points total, level with runner-up Roma and just one point adrift of table-toppers Milan. In contrast, Pisa occupy the third bottom position with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter traveled in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a loss to rivals by Milan recently, followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The home team created numerous chances, but a efficient Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute mark when Argentine Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The attacker then tapped in from close range with seven minutes remaining.
Inter’s capacity to score even with difficult circumstances proved crucial in securing three points.
Additional Continental Matches
In Spain, the Basque side mounted a dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to succumb to a late strike five minutes into added time. Villarreal’s goals came from Ayoze Pérez shortly after the 30-minute mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler quickly pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. However, Moleiro delivered the final say late in stoppage time.
In the late Spanish fixture, Real Madrid journey to Girona requiring a victory to go back to the summit above Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 win over Alavés on the previous day.
- The Nerazzurri stay in close contention for the Italian title.
- Martínez proved his value with a decisive display.
- The battle for first continues with multiple clubs competing.
