Inter striker Lautaro Martínez scored a late double to earn his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the away side firmly engaged in the Serie A championship battle despite a somewhat shaky display.
Under Cristian Chivu, Inter now sit in third position in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and just one point behind leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa hold the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Inter traveled in Tuscany looking to return to winning ways after suffering a derby defeat by Milan last weekend, followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were made to battle throughout by newly-promoted Pisa. The home team generated numerous opportunities, but a clinical Inter broke the deadlock in the 69th minute mark when Argentine Martínez smacked a first-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 was crucial in securing the victory.
Across in Spain, Real Sociedad mounted a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to lose to a late strike five minutes into added 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 pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro had the last word deep into added time.
In the late La Liga fixture, Real Madrid travel to Girona requiring a victory to go back to the top ahead of Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on the previous day.