Fiorentina have paid tribute to their captain Davide Astori ahead of their first match without him following his tragic death at the age of just 31.
The Italy international was discovered hours before his team were scheduled to play Udinese last Sunday in a Serie A match. He is believed to have died from a cardiac arrest.
And now, under the most difficult of circumstances, their players have to muster the courage to take the field for the first time without their iconic leader – against Benevento at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
A banner is laid across the centre circle at Stadio Artemio Franchi in tribute to Davide Astori – it reads: ‘Captain forever’
Every Fiorentina player ran out onto the pitch to warm up wearing Astori’s now-retired No 13 jersey in memory of him
Supporters raise their scarves to create a sea of purple as players, fans and the footballing fraternity all come together
Fiorentina head coach Stefano Pioli finds it impossible to hold back the tears as tributes surround Stadio Artemio Franchi
Players from both teams and officials line up together in unison to show that football comes together in such situations
Amid the purple haze, a flag is raised with Astori’s name, face and number emerges as the tributes continue
Swathes of supporters wearing purple also turn out, reversing their Astori shirts to reveal the player’s name and number
Astori died in his sleep at the team hotel – he leaves behind partner, Francesca Fioretti, and their two-year-old daughter
The club paid tribute ahead of their game against Benevento, displaying a banner across the centre circle, which read: ‘Captain forever.’
Every Fiorentina player emerged from the tunnel in the warm-up wearing a shirt which donned both Astori’s name and number in a salute to a man who did so much for the Tuscany club.
The squad — both players and staff — then gathered around the centre circle and applauded the fans who have turned up to pay homage to the late Astori.
Astori, who played for Italy 14 times, leaves behind his long-term partner, Francesca Fioretti, and their two-year-old daughter. A tearful Fioretti was seen making her way into the church on Thursday morning with Astori’s family, including their daughter, Vittoria.
Astori started his playing career in the Milan youth academy but never played a senior match for the Rossoneri, making his Serie A debut with Cagliari in 2008.
He spent six years at the Sardinian club before loan spells at Roma and Fiorentina, where he was signed on a permanent basis in 2016.
Fiorentina and Cagliari, Astori’s club between 2008 and 2016, announced on Tuesday that they had retired the No 13 shirt in honour of their former player.
The club’s players and staff gather around the centre circle and pay homage to the fans who turned out by applauding them
A banner is draped over the edge of one stand holds a simple but poignant message to Astori: ‘Thanks, captain’
One Fiorentina supporter waves a flag, on which is Astori’s face and number, as the fans pack in to the stadium to pay tribute