Lautaro Martínez Double Ensures Inter Milan on Tail of Leaders

Inter forward Lautaro Martínez netted a second-half double to earn his team a 2-0 victory at Pisa, ensuring the away side firmly involved in the Serie A championship battle despite a less than convincing display.

Standings Update

Under Cristian Chivu, Inter now sit in third position in the standings with 27 points, tied with second-placed Roma and only one point behind table-toppers Milan. In contrast, Pisa hold the 18th spot with 10 points.

Game Summary

Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a derby defeat by Milan recently, followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were made to battle all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts created numerous opportunities, but a clinical Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute mark when Argentine Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the top of the net. The forward then tapped in from close range with seven minutes remaining.

Inter’s capacity to score even with difficult circumstances proved crucial in securing three points.

Other Continental Action

Across in Spain, the Basque side staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into added time. The visitors’ scoring came from Ayoze Pérez just after the half-hour mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler soon pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro delivered the final say deep into added time.

Later on La Liga fixture, Real Madrid journey to Girona requiring a victory to return to the top ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 win over Alavés on Saturday.

• Inter stay in close contention for the Italian title.
• Martínez proved his value with a match-winning performance.
• The battle for first goes on with multiple teams in the mix.