MILAN - The Scudetto is three points away as Inter stormed back from two goals down to hold Palermo 2-2 at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Andrea Caracciolo and Cristiano Zaccardo scored at either end of the first half, but Julio Cruz and Adriano produced second-half replies - both created by the feet of in-form Luis Figo - to leave Inter needing a victory against Roma on Wednesday to wrap up their second consecutive league title.

Mancini opted for a midfield diamond in front of a flat back four, with Crespo and Adriano spearheading the attack against a Palermo side without a win in nine games.

The visitors took the lead after just three minutes when Caracciolo slotted under Julio Cesar from six yards after latching on to Simplicio's through ball.

Guidolin's side could have been two goals up after 11 minutes but Cassani's fierce 20-yard drive smacked the underside of the crossbar.

Inter reacted with a period of mid-half possession and Palermo had Barzagli to thank for a sliding clearance to deny Crespo a tap-in from Grosso's low left-wing cross.

On the half-hour Julio Cesar made a crucial reflex save from Bresciano after Burdisso's clearance from Diana's cross.

Mancini brought on Julio Cruz for Hernan Crespo on 32 minutes after the Argentine pulled up with a suspected hamstring strain.

Palermo then had a goal ruled out when Caracciolo volleyed in from close range after a Barzagli foul on Cruz.

Inter stepped up a gear before the interval. Fontana saved at full stretch from Cruz, and Maicon headed narrowly wide, but the Sicilians stunned the Meazza in time added on when Zaccardo found the top-right corner with a slotted shot from Barzagli's short through ball.

The Nerazzurri made an aggressive start to the second half, winning three corners in as many minutes before Cruz had a close-range effort disallowed for offside.

And Inter's domination continued after Mancini introduced Stankovic for Grosso and Ibrahimovic for Dacourt.

Inter's sheer power in attack proved too much for Palermo, and a comeback became reality when Julio Cruz headed Figo's inswinging cross past Fontana on 67 minutes.

An equaliser was only a matter of time, and it came seven minutes after El Jardinero's effort. Once again Figo was the provider, crossing for Adriano to nod in his first goal since the victory at Chievo two months ago.

Figo could have capped an extraordinary performance with his first goal since the Super Cup last August, but the Portuguese midfielder's sweetly-struck diagonal shot on 84 minutes was disallowed for offside.

Inter went close again before the final whistle when Ibrahimovic was denied by Fontana after excellent work by Adriano down the right.

Inter 2-2 Palermo (HT: 0-2)

Scorers: Caracciolo 3, Zaccardo 45+1, Cruz 67, Adriano 74.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 11 Grosso (5 Stankovic 53); 7 Figo, 19 Cambiasso, 15 Dacourt (8 Ibrahimovic 63), 4 Zanetti; 10 Adriano, 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 32).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 21 Solari, 20 Recoba.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Palermo: 12 Fontana; 2 Zaccardo, 43 Barzagli, 15 Dellafiore, 16 Cassani; 14 Guana, 30 Simplicio, 23 Bresciano, 8 Diana; 7 Cavani, 10 Caracciolo (18 Giacomazzi 71).
Subs not used: 1 Agliardi, 4 Tedesco, 5 Corini, 22 Ciaramitaro, 90 Brienza, 17 Di Michele.
Coach: Francesco Guidolin.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Bologna).

Booked: Caracciolo 25, Cavani 30, Cruz 62, Giacomazzi 75.