Internazionale returned to winning ways against Bologna on Saturday in a 2-1 result that saw the Nerrazzurri join Lazio at the top of Serie A.
The home side found the form which has eluded it recently in the first half, but was only rewarded with one goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 25th minute.
Inter doubled its lead through an Adriano penalty in the 49th minute, but after Vangelis Moras reduced the arrears seven minutes later, it began to look nervous, holding on to the three points rather than searching to close the game with a third goal.
The Nerrazzurri resisted a spirited effort from Bologna, which remains in the bottom three after five consecutive defeats.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho responded to criticism that his team was not scoring enough by fielding four attackers in his starting XI.
Adriano and Ibrahimovic played centrally with Ricardo Quaresma and Mancini on either wing.
The move looked to have worked as it was one-way traffic for much of the first half - all that was lacking was a final touch as Adriano and Ibrahimovic had chances to open the scoring with Quaresma providing much of the ammunition.
Bologna, which won at the San Siro on the opening day of the season against AC Milan, showed it was also not there to make up the numbers.
The Emiglians' captain Sergio Volpi had two good efforts saved by Julio Cesar, while lone striker Marco Di Vaio was lively whenever the ball reached him in the penalty area.
But Inter was still in charge and deservedly went ahead in the 25th minute through a moment of magic from Ibrahimovic.
Adriano crossed from the left wing and the Sweden striker stuck out a leg and diverted the ball with his heel just inside the near post.
Ibrahimovic had the chance to make it two before half-time when a mis-hit Quaresma shot found Adriano inside the penalty area, who laid the ball off for the Nerazzurri's top scorer to strike inches over the bar from 20 yards.
Adriano doubled the hosts' lead just after the restart, however, with a penalty after Mancini's cross struck Volpi on the arm in the area.
Although Mourinho's attacking tactics appeared to be working, his defence was questionable.
Javier Zanetti and Ivan Cordoba got in each other's way to let in Moras, who slotted home from eight yards.
Minutes later, Gaby Mudingayi had a free shot from 20 yards which was deflected over the crossbar.
In their last two games, Mourinho brought on forwards but this time he introduced Dejan Stankovic in place of Mancini with 15 minutes remaining.
Ibrahimovic missed a glorious opportunity deep into stoppage time, but Inter held on for its fourth win of the season.
A late goal from Simone Inzaghi, meanwhile, spared Lazio's blushes at the Stadio Olimpico as the highflying Romans salvaged a point against newcomers Lecce in a 1-1 draw.
The hosts looked to be heading for only their second defeat of the season following Simone Tiribocchi's first-half opener for Lecce.
But substitute Inzaghi popped up in the final minute to snatch a share of the spoils for Lazio.
Lazio 1 (Inzaghi 89)
Lecce 1 (Tiribocchi 26)
Inter Milan 2 (Ibrahimovic 25, Adriano 50p)
Bologna 1 (Moras 56)