Inter forward Lautaro Martínez netted a second-half brace to earn his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the visitors firmly involved in the Serie A title race despite a somewhat shaky performance.
Led by manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently are placed third in the standings with 27 points total, level with second-placed Roma and only one point behind table-toppers Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the 18th position with 10 points.
Inter arrived in Tuscany looking to return to winning ways after suffering a loss to rivals by Milan recently, which was followed by a Champions League loss at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were made to battle all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts generated plenty of opportunities, but a clinical Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Argentine Martínez drilled a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The forward then finished from point-blank with seven minutes remaining.
Inter’s capacity to convert despite difficult circumstances proved decisive in earning three points.
Across in Spain, the Basque side staged a dramatic fightback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into stoppage time. Villarreal’s goals came from Ayoze Pérez shortly 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 last word deep into added time.
Later on La Liga match, Real Madrid journey to Girona requiring a victory to go back to the summit above Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 win over Alavés on Saturday.
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