- Seria A giants Fiorentina, defeated Benevento 1 - 0 in their Seria A clash
- The club in honor of their captain stopped the game in the 13th minute in honor of their former late captain Davide Astori
- Astori was found dead in his hotel room at the age of just 31, leaving football loving fans in mourning
Seria A giants Fiorentina in honor of their late captain Davide Astori stopped their Seria A match against Benevento on 13 minutes.
Astori was found dead in his hotel room at the age of just 31, leaving football loving fans in mourning.
And Fiorentina paid tribute to him by stopping the game on 13 minutes, which was his squad number, so fans and players could join in a minute's applause.
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At the commencement of the game the stadium announcer named him in the starting line-up, with words: "No 13, Davide Astori — always our captain."
It followed the emotional tributes before the match as an eerie silence filled the ground while all inside it remembered Astori.
Fans also held up placards spelling "Davide" in a stunning tribute prior to kick-off.
And on 25 minutes, to add further emotion to the occasion, centre-back Vitor Hugo - who was replacing his late team-mate - opened the scoring with his first goal for the club.
Saponara, whose heartfelt tribute on Instagram touched fans around the world, took a corner which was headed home by the Brazilian defender.
The whole team celebrated together and Hugo saluted a shirt held up with Astori's face on it in an emotional tribute to his former skipper.
Players from both sides failed to hide their emotions after the final whistle as several fell to the ground in floods of tears.
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While Milan Baldelj, who was skipper on the day, poignantly held up the captain's armband to the crowd.
It was an emotional occasion and fitting tribute which showed just how much of an imprint Astori left on his Fiorentina team-mates.
NAIJ.com previously reported that Italian Serie A club sides, Fiorentina and Cagliari have confirmed that the late Davide Astori’s jersey number 13 has been retired by both clubs, according to Goal.
The 31-year-old defender passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning – leaving the Italian football fraternity, and by extension the global football family in shock.
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Source: Sports.naija.ng