Lautaro Martínez Brace Keeps Inter in Pursuit of Leaders

Inter forward Lautaro Martínez netted a late double to earn his side a 2-0 victory at Pisa, keeping the away side firmly engaged in the Italian league championship battle despite a somewhat shaky performance.

League Table Update

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

Game Recap

Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to get back on track after enduring a derby defeat by Milan last weekend, followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were made to battle all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The home team generated numerous opportunities, but a clinical Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Argentinian Martínez smacked a first-time shot into the roof of the net. The forward then tapped in from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.

The team’s ability to score even with pressure proved crucial in securing the victory.

Additional Continental Action

Across in Spain, Real Sociedad staged a dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to equalize 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 reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro delivered the final say late in added time.

In the late Spanish fixture, Real Madrid journey to Girona needing a win to return to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 win over Alavés on the previous day.