Just before the break, Kalou was controversially denied a penalty when WalterSamuel seemed to clip his heels after the Ivorian striker looked certain to score after running clear.
Twice Xavi had a sight of goal but the midfielder was crowded out on both occasions, Pedro flashed an instinctive volley wide from Dani Alves' cross, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a snap-shot well blocked by WalterSamuel.
In a frantic finale to the first 45 minutes, WalterSamuel threw himself in front of Malouda as he drove into the box, while Motta rescued Inter with a goalline clearance as Anelka forced a shot beyond Cesar.