Lautaro Martínez Brace Keeps Inter in Pursuit of Leaders
Inter striker Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half brace to secure his team a 2-0 win at Pisa, ensuring the visitors very much involved in the Serie A title race in spite of a less than convincing performance.
League Table Overview
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now are placed in third position in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and just one point behind leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the 18th spot with 10 points.
Game 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 defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts generated numerous chances, but a clinical Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Argentinian Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the top of the net. The attacker then finished from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.
The team’s ability to convert even with difficult circumstances was crucial in securing three points.
Additional European Matches
Across in Spain, Real Sociedad staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into stoppage time. The visitors’ scoring came from Ayoze Pérez shortly after the half-hour mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler soon reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro had the final say late in added time.
In the late Spanish fixture, Real Madrid travel to Girona needing a win to go back to the summit above Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on the previous day.
- The Nerazzurri stay in close contention for the Italian crown.
- Martínez proved his value with a decisive display.
- The battle for first goes on with multiple teams competing.
