Martínez Double Ensures Inter Milan on Tail of Leaders
Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a late brace to earn his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the away side firmly engaged in the Italian league title race in spite of a less than convincing performance.
League Table Update
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now are placed third in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and only one point behind leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a derby defeat by Milan last weekend, which was followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts generated numerous opportunities, but a efficient Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute mark when Argentinian Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The forward then tapped in from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.
The team’s capacity to convert even with pressure proved decisive in earning the victory.
Additional Continental Action
Across in Spain, the Basque side mounted a thrilling fightback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to succumb to a goal five minutes into stoppage time. The visitors’ goals came from Ayoze Pérez just after the 30-minute mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler soon pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro had the final say late in added time.
In the late La Liga match, 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.
- The Nerazzurri stay in close pursuit for the Serie A crown.
- Martínez proved his value with a decisive performance.
- The battle for first continues with multiple teams in the mix.
