Lautaro Martínez Double Ensures Inter Milan in Pursuit of Leaders
Inter striker Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half brace to earn his team a 2-0 win at Pisa, ensuring the visitors very much involved in the Italian league championship battle in spite of a less than convincing performance.
League Table Overview
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now are placed third in the standings with 27 points total, level with second-placed Roma and just one point behind leaders Milan. In contrast, Pisa occupy the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Game Summary
Inter traveled in Tuscany aiming to get back on track after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, which was followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts generated numerous chances, but a clinical Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute when Argentinian Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The attacker then tapped in from point-blank seven minutes from time.
Inter’s capacity to convert despite pressure proved crucial in securing the victory.
Other Continental Action
In Spain, the Basque side staged a thrilling fightback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a goal five minutes into stoppage time. The visitors’ goals came from Ayoze Pérez shortly after the 30-minute mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler quickly reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. However, Moleiro had the last word deep into added time.
Later on La Liga fixture, Real Madrid journey to Girona requiring a victory to go back to the top above Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 win over Alavés on Saturday.
- Inter stay in close pursuit for the Italian title.
- Martínez proved his value with a match-winning display.
- The title race goes on with multiple teams in the mix.
