Lautaro Martínez Brace Ensures Inter on Tail of Leaders

Inter forward Lautaro Martínez netted a second-half brace to secure his team a 2-0 victory at Pisa, ensuring the away side firmly engaged in the Italian league title race despite a less than convincing performance.

League Table Update

Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now sit in third position in the standings with 27 points total, tied with runner-up Roma and just one point behind table-toppers Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the 18th spot with 10 points.

Game Summary

Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after enduring a derby defeat by Milan recently, followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts created numerous 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 forward then finished from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.

The team’s capacity to score despite pressure proved crucial in securing three points.

Other Continental Matches

In Spain, the Basque side mounted a thrilling fightback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike 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 leveled the score three minutes from time. However, Moleiro had the final say late in stoppage time.

In the late La Liga match, Real Madrid journey to Girona needing a victory to return to the top ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 win over Alavés on the previous day.