Inter striker Lautaro Martínez netted a late double to earn his team a 2-0 victory at Pisa, ensuring the away side very much engaged in the Italian league championship battle despite a somewhat shaky display.
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter now are placed in third position in the standings with 27 points, tied with second-placed Roma and just one point adrift of leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa hold the 18th position with 10 points.
Inter traveled in Tuscany aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a loss to rivals by Milan last weekend, which was followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were made to battle all the way by newly-promoted Pisa. The hosts created numerous opportunities, but a efficient Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute mark when Argentinian Martínez drilled 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 convert even with pressure was crucial in earning three points.
In Spain, Real Sociedad mounted a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to level at home against Villarreal, only to succumb to a late strike five minutes into added time. Villarreal’s goals came from Ayoze Pérez just after the 30-minute mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler soon pulled one back and Ander Barrenetxea leveled the score three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro delivered the final say deep into stoppage time.
Later on La Liga match, Real Madrid travel to Girona requiring a victory to return to the summit above Barcelona, who recorded a 3-1 triumph over Alavés on the previous day.