UPDATE 2-Soccer-Inter celebrate centenary with win over Reggina

(adds Palermo draw in final para, fresh quote)

By Mark Meadows

MILAN, March 8 (Reuters) - Serie A leaders Inter Milan went nine points clear on Saturday after celebrating their centenary with a regulation 2-0 win over second-from-bottom Reggina.

AS Roma can cut the gap back to six points on Sunday if they win at Napoli, where champions Inter suffered their first defeat of the league season last weekend, going down 1-0.

Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, returning after two weeks out with a knee problem, opened the scoring with a penalty and proved his fitness ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last 16 second leg at home to Liverpool, who lead 2-0.

The Swede, who also hit the bar with a free kick, netted his 15th of the campaign on 14 minutes after Esteban Cambiasso was sandwiched by Carlos Adrian Valdez and Luca Tognozzi.

However, the first contact was just outside the area in the latest of a series of fortunate decisions for Inter this season.

Defender Nicolas Burdisso made it 2-0 on 34 minutes with a bullet header from Luis Jimenez's deep free kick.

Reggina had chances but keeper Julio Cesar, who made a rare blunder for Napoli's goal last Sunday, was back to his best.