Lautaro Martínez Brace Keeps Inter on Tail of Frontrunners
Inter striker Lautaro Martínez netted a late double to secure his side a 2-0 victory at Pisa, ensuring the visitors very much involved in the Italian league title race in spite of a less than convincing performance.
League Table Overview
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed in third position in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and just one point adrift of table-toppers Milan. In contrast, Pisa hold the third bottom position with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter traveled in Tuscany aiming to get back on track after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, which was followed by a European defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts created numerous chances, but a efficient Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute when Argentine Martínez smacked a first-time shot into the top of the net. The attacker then finished from point-blank seven minutes from time.
The team’s capacity to convert even with difficult circumstances was decisive in earning three points.
Other Continental Matches
In Spain, Real Sociedad staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into added time. The visitors’ goals came from Ayoze Pérez shortly after the half-hour mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler quickly pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro delivered the last word deep into added time.
Later on La Liga fixture, Real Madrid travel to Girona needing a win to return to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on Saturday.
- The Nerazzurri remain in tight pursuit for the Serie A crown.
- Martínez demonstrated his value with a match-winning display.
- The battle for first continues with several clubs in the mix.
