| Inter fought back twice to scrape a point at Cagliari, but it was a disappointing performance on what could well be Roberto Mancini's final game in charge.
Mancini confessed that this could well be his last match in charge of the Nerazzurri, as reports of a deal with Fabio Capello gather pace. The team was still celebrating Thursday's Coppa Italia triumph, their second on the trot, while Cagliari have already secured their Serie A safety.
Antonio Langella, Daniele Conti and Nicolas Burdisso were suspended for this tie. Juan Sebastian Veron returned from a long-term injury, but Mancini opted for a surprising 4-5-1 system.
Cagliari had a bright start and deservedly took the lead within the opening eight minutes, as Mauro Esposito floated in a cross for Andrea Capone's free header from six yards.
Inter reacted almost immediately and a Julio Cruz free kick took a double deflection off the defensive wall, leaving Antonio Chimenti stranded.
Esposito drilled wide after a strong run, then Chimenti used his feet to clear from Solari on Giuseppe Favalli's assist.
The Sardinians restored their lead soon after, as Esposito again ran down the right wing and his low cross was tapped in by David Suazo.
Inter only seemed to be shaken into life when they went behind and again fought back within a couple of minutes with Santiago Solari's solo effort fired into the far top corner.
Suazo nearly made it 3-2 on 53 minutes on the counter-attack, but was unlucky to see his finish come off the upright.
David Pizarro's angled drive from the edge of the area was well wide, but Cagliari continued to have the best chances, as Esposito's free kick reached Capone and his shot was charged down.
Solari's hopeful lob was well over the bar, but Bega almost granted Inter a winner in the final minutes, as he turned a Kily Gonzalez cross on to his own upright.
| 
