Lautaro Martínez Brace Keeps Inter Milan in Pursuit of Frontrunners
Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half double to earn his team a 2-0 win at Pisa, ensuring the away side firmly involved in the Italian league title race in spite of a less than convincing performance.
League Table Update
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed third in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and only one point adrift of table-toppers Milan. In contrast, Pisa hold the 18th position with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter traveled in Tuscany looking to return to winning ways after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. However, they were made to battle throughout by promoted Pisa. The hosts created plenty of chances, but a efficient Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute mark when Argentinian Martínez smacked a first-time shot into the roof of the net. The attacker then tapped in from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.
The team’s capacity to score even with pressure was decisive in earning three points.
Other Continental Action
In Spain, the Basque side mounted a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to succumb to a goal five minutes into added time. The visitors’ goals came from Ayoze Pérez just 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 final say late in stoppage time.
Later on Spanish match, Real Madrid travel to Girona requiring a win to return to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 win over Alavés on Saturday.
- The Nerazzurri stay in tight contention for the Serie A title.
- Martínez demonstrated his value with a decisive display.
- The battle for first goes on with several clubs in the mix.
