Brazilian Adriano headed in just before halftime to give a pedestrian Inter a 1-0 win over Anorthosis Famagusta on Wednesday and send the Italians clear at the top of Champions League Group B.

Maicon's right wing cross arrived slightly behind him and Adriano did well to arch his back and nod in from close range.

The Serie A champions, who hammered AS Roma 4-0 away at the weekend, were much more lethargic against the Cypriots and generally lacked creativity against a blanket defence.

Inter lead the group with seven points from three games with Anorthosis on four.

"It's not been possible to play a fantastic game and have a performance like Roma but the players have played with great professionalism," Inter coach Jose Mourinho told a news conference, adding that midfielder Esteban Cambiasso picked up an injury.

In the run-up to the match, Mourinho had appealed for fans to pack the stands against their low-profile opponents but swathes of the San Siro remained empty.

The supporters that did turn up were treated to a dull first period with Inter's patient build-up play only leading to a succession of hopeful shots from distance before Adriano struck.

The visitors, who went close early on through a freekick from former Roma midfielder Traianos Dellas, almost equalised at the start of the second half when captain Nicos Katsavakis headed just over.

Inter, also disappointing in the 1-1 home draw with Werder Bremen last time out, had more urgency as the game wore on but chances were still at a premium with Zlatan Ibrahimovic shooting wide from a good position.

"It's hard to compliment my players when we have lost but I give them credit for the match they've played," Anorthosis boss Temuri Ketsbaia said.