(adds details, byline)
By Mark Meadows
MILAN, Oct 22 - Brazilian Adriano headed in just
before halftime to give a pedestrian Inter Milan 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.
In the run-up to the match, Inter coach Jose 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.
(Editing by Justin Palmer)