Martínez Brace Keeps Inter on Tail of Frontrunners
Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a late double to secure his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, ensuring the away side firmly engaged in the Serie A title race despite a less than convincing display.
League Table Update
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now are placed in third position in the table with 27 points total, tied with runner-up Roma and only one point adrift of leaders Milan. In contrast, Pisa occupy the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Game Recap
Inter arrived in Tuscany looking to return to winning ways after suffering a derby defeat by Milan last weekend, 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 efficient Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute mark when Argentine Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the top of the net. The attacker then tapped in from point-blank seven minutes from time.
The team’s capacity to convert despite pressure was decisive in earning three points.
Additional Continental Matches
In Spain, the Basque side staged a dramatic 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 soon reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. However, Moleiro delivered the last word late in added time.
In the late 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 the previous day.
- Inter stay in close contention for the Italian crown.
- Martínez demonstrated his value with a match-winning display.
- The battle for first goes on with multiple clubs in the mix.
