He helped the team avoid relegation until the summer of 2000, as his side finished in second-last place in the league.

Cagliari failed to obtain promotion back to Serie A in 2000–01 season, as they only managed a mid-table finish.

Scarpi lost his regular place in the starting line-up during the 2001–02 season, to new signing Armando Pantanelli.

He followed Genoa to play in Serie C1, making his personal debut in the Italian third division that season; he played only 14 times for the club during the 2005–06 season, as the regular starting spot was later given to second goalkeeper Massimo Gazzoli, who made 20 appearances.

Despite the departure of Gazzoli, and subsequently of the youth product Nicola Barasso in January, Scarpi lost his place in the starting line-up yet again to Rubinho.