ROME: Lautaro Mart­inez shot Inter Milan into second place in Serie A with both goals in Saturday’s 2-1 win at winless Cremonese, while Atalanta cruised past Sampdoria 2-0 and into the Champions League spots.

Argentina striker Marti­nez made sure Inter boun­ced back from losing to Empoli last Sunday and David Okereke’s 11th-minute wonder strike with goals in each half at the Stadio Giovanni Zini in Cremona.

The 25-year-old moved Inter, who have 40 points, two points above fourth-placed Atalanta and champions AC Milan.

Okereke put the hosts ahead with a superb shot from the edge of the box that hit the underside of the bar and bounced in.

Inter equalised 10 minutes later when Martinez was in the right place to finish on the rebound after Cremonese goalkeeper Ma­­r­co Carnesecchi had parried Edin Dzeko’s volley.

Inter continued to pile on the pressure after the equaliser, and Martinez finally put the visitors ahead in the 65th when Dzeko played him in and his shot took a deflection before looping past Carnesecchi.

Inter are 10 behind leaders Napoli having played a game more. Cremonese remain on eight points, still without a league win this season after 20 games.

One point above Cremo­nese are Sampdoria who were comfortably dealt with by Atalanta thanks to goals from Joakim Maehle and Ademola Lookman.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side moved to 38 points after 20 matches, one point ahead of Lazio and AS Roma having played a game more.

Atalanta went ahead in the 42nd minute when Maehle headed in a cross by Hans Hateboer.

Lookman doubled the lead after 57 minutes with a solo run into Sampdoria’s box, finishing into the bottom-left corner from an acute angle.

Earlier, Torino came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Empoli thanks to late strikes from Samuele Ricci and Antonio Sanabria.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2023