Martínez Double Ensures Inter on Tail of Frontrunners
Inter striker Lautaro Martínez scored a late double to earn his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the visitors firmly involved in the Italian league championship battle 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, level with runner-up Roma and just one point behind leaders Milan. In contrast, Pisa occupy the third bottom position with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to get back on track after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, which was followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The home team generated plenty of chances, but a clinical Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute mark 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.
Inter’s capacity to score even with difficult circumstances was decisive in earning the victory.
Other Continental Matches
Across 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 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 leveled the score three minutes from time. However, Moleiro delivered the final say deep into stoppage time.
Later on La Liga match, Real Madrid travel to Girona requiring a victory to return to the summit above Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on Saturday.
- The Nerazzurri stay in tight pursuit for the Serie A crown.
- Martínez proved his value with a decisive display.
- The battle for first goes on with multiple clubs in the mix.
