Adriano was once again Internazionale's Champions League hero as the Nerazzurri moved three points clear at the top of Group B with a solid performance against Anorthosis Famagusta on Wednesday.
The Brazilian scored just before half-time to help Inter collect all three points, albeit with a performance that was in complete contrast to Sunday's thrilling 4-0 defeat of Roma in Serie A.
Anorthosis, who were unbeaten going into the match, are now second in the group but they proved they are no lightweights.
Indeed it was the Cypriot side who had the first decent chance of the game in the fourth minute as Savio Bortolini back heeled an indirect free-kick to Traianos Dellas who drilled it towards goal from over 30 yards but Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo did well to beat the effort away.
Apart from that early scare Inter were on the front foot from the start and should have taken the lead in the 10th minute as a great cross from Maicon fell to his compatriot Mancini, who dragged it back to Sulley Muntari but the Ghana midfielder saw his fierce effort blocked by Anorthosis goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj's legs.
Adriano was terrorizing the Anorthosis defense and he almost fired Inter into the lead in the 15th minute as he somehow managed to squeeze a shot in between two defenders but his effort just brushed the outside of the right post.
Inter were in full control of the match as the visitors were hardly able to venture out of their own half but the Nerazzurri lacked creativity and could not make their pressure tell.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was having a great match and almost gave Inter the lead in the 27th minute but his fierce 25-yard strike was well saved by Beqaj.
Just as Anorthosis were celebrating getting to half-time without conceding, the Nerazzurri finally managed to put the ball in the back of the net.
In a move started and finished by Adriano, Ibrahimovic floated a great cross-field ball to Maicon whose cross was met by his Brazilian compatriot, who headed it in from close range for his 14th goal in 22 Champions League games.
Anorthosis should have been back on level terms less than a minute after the interval and will be kicking themselves at missing an unbelievable opportunity as Savio's free-kick bounced up kindly in the area for Nikos Katsavakis but he headed over the bar.
The defender was left with his head in his hands at missing such a terrific chance.
That was to be one of the last sights of goal the Cypriots had although Inter hardly created many more.
Muntari was guilty of missing a golden opportunity to double his side's advantage in the 49th minute as he sent a free-header narrowly wide of the top right corner from eight yards.
Ibrahimovic could also have eased Inter's nerves in the closing stages of the game as he latched onto a great ball from Adriano and raced into the penalty area but the angle grew too tight and his effort flashed wide of the right post.
However, Inter never looked like conceding and now sit proudly at the top of the group as they also do in Serie A.
