Inter forward Lautaro Martínez scored a second-half brace to secure his side a 2-0 win at Pisa, keeping the away side very much involved in the Italian league title race in spite of a somewhat shaky display.
Under manager Cristian Chivu, Inter currently sit in third position in the table with 27 points total, tied with second-placed Roma and just one point adrift of leaders Milan. Meanwhile, Pisa hold the third bottom spot with 10 points.
Inter traveled in Tuscany looking to get back on track after suffering a loss to rivals by Milan last weekend, followed by a Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid. Nonetheless, they were forced to fight all the way by promoted Pisa. The home team created numerous chances, but a clinical Inter scored the opener in the 69th minute when Argentinian Martínez smacked a first-time shot into the roof of the net. The attacker then finished from point-blank seven minutes from time.
Inter’s capacity to convert even with difficult circumstances was decisive in earning three points.
In Spain, the Basque side mounted a dramatic fightback 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 shortly after the half-hour mark and Alberto Moleiro in the 57th minute, but Carlos Soler soon reduced the deficit and Ander Barrenetxea equalised three minutes from time. Yet, Moleiro had the final say late in stoppage time.
In the late Spanish fixture, Real Madrid travel to Girona needing a win to go back to the top ahead of Barcelona, who secured a 3-1 win over Alavés on the previous day.