Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half brace to earn his team a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the away side firmly engaged in the Italian league title race in spite of a less than convincing display.
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now sit third in the standings with 27 points total, tied with runner-up Roma and only one point adrift of leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa occupy the 18th position with 10 points.
Inter arrived in Tuscany aiming to get back on track after enduring a loss to rivals by Milan recently, which was followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. However, they were forced to fight throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The home team generated plenty of opportunities, but a efficient Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute mark when Argentine Martínez smacked a one-time shot into the roof of the net. The forward then finished from point-blank seven minutes from time.
The team’s capacity to convert despite difficult circumstances proved crucial in securing three points.
In Spain, Real Sociedad staged a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to equalize at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a goal five minutes into stoppage 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 pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. However, Moleiro had the last word late in added time.
Later on La Liga fixture, Real Madrid travel to Girona needing a victory to go back to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on Saturday.
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