ROME, April 19 (Serie A) - Lazio came from behind in the second half at the Stadio Olimpico to strengthen their bid for Champions League football next season.

The Biancocelesti have had some bad results in recent days in both the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia and Saturday the trend looked to be continuing when Ciro De Cesare opening the scoring just before half-time for Piacenza.

But Roberto Mancini's men, who have confounded the experts this season with terrific performances despite the club being stricken with debts, got back on the level terms in the 60th minute through Simone Inzaghi.

Bernardo Corradi, an emerging star in the Italian national team, then won the game with a goal 13 minutes from time.

The fightback was crucial for fourth-placed Lazio, who remain four points in front of closest pursuers Parma, themselves winners over Torino in their match on Saturday.

Piacenza threatened early after a foul had given them a good position for a free-kick but Enzo Maresca's attempt went over the bar.

Lazio then had an opportunity in the 19th minute from close range but Simone Inzaghi's shot glanced off the leg of Amedeo Mangone and went out of play.

The home side then threatened with a host of chances but fail to convert any of them.

Dead-ball specialist Sinisa Mihajlovic was presented with a free-kick in the 23rd minute.

The ball took a slight deflection off team-mate Inzaghi but Piacenza keeper Paolo Orlandoni saved the danger.

Mihajlovic's Serbo-Montenegrin team-mate, Dejan Stankovic, was then presented with a chance but his header was hauled in by Orlandoni.

He was called into action against four minutes before half-time when Giuseppe Favalli ran down the left side and crossed into the centre for Inzaghi.

The striker then played the ball to Stankovic whose header was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Corradi might have put Lazio in front when he was close to goal but failed to control a low free kick from Claudio Lopez.

And Lazio paid the price when De Cesare put the visitors in front just before half-time.

Eusebio Di Francesco, playing on the ground where he once starred for Roma, ran down the left and evaded Fernando Couto, crossing to the centre for De Cesare to shoot in the right corner.

Luca Marchegiani, who had struggled in Lazio's midweek Coppa Italia setback, was unable to prevent the goal.

If Lazio have been anything this season, it has been resilient and it was no surprise that they scored an equaliser.

Inzaghi gained possession after a Piacenza pass eluded Amedeo Mangone and went to the edge of the penalty box.

His shot from the left hit the post but crossed the goalline to make it 1-1.

An excellent pass from Fabio Liverani to Massimo Oddo on the left side led to the match winner.

Oddo crossed into the centre for Inzaghi whose shot was kept out by Orlandoni but Corradi headed in the rebound to give Lazio their decisive advantage.

In the 75th minute, Mihajlovic had another chance with a free-kick but Orlandoni dived in and made the save.

The result keeps Lazio in line for a Champions League place that, given their financial woes, could prove a lifesaver.

Piacenza, despite their recent improved form, missed another chance to put pressure on the clubs above them and know their chances of remaining in the top flight remain slim.