The home team appeared to be on course for a crucial victory after Igor Budan gave them a deserved lead in the 56th minute, but Pazzini struck twice in the 91st and 95th minutes to stun the home team and reduce the arrears on AC Milan at the top of the table to five points.

The result means Milan cannot now be crowned Serie A champions tomorrow while Cesena could slip into the bottom three this weekend.

The win also kept Inter above Napoli, who beat Genoa 1-0 in the evening fixture.

Marek Hamsik struck in the 82nd minute to leave Napoli one point behind Inter in third place while effectively ending Genoa's hopes of European football.