Lautaro Martínez Double Ensures Inter Milan in Pursuit of Frontrunners
Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half double to earn his team a 2-0 victory at Pisa, ensuring the away side very much involved in the Italian league championship battle despite a less than convincing performance.
Standings Overview
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed third in the table with 27 points total, level with runner-up Roma and only one point behind table-toppers Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Match Recap
Inter arrived in Tuscany looking to return to winning ways after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, which was followed by a European defeat at Atlético Madrid. However, 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 first-time shot into the top of the net. The forward then tapped in from close range seven minutes from time.
Inter’s ability to convert even with difficult circumstances proved decisive in earning the victory.
Other Continental Matches
Across in Spain, the Basque side staged a dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to succumb to a goal five minutes into stoppage time. The visitors’ scoring came from Ayoze Pérez just after the 30-minute mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler quickly pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. However, Moleiro had the last word deep into added time.
In the late La Liga match, Real Madrid journey to Girona needing a victory to go back to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on Saturday.
- Inter stay in tight pursuit for the Italian title.
- Martínez demonstrated his value with a decisive performance.
- The title race goes on with several clubs in the mix.
