On Sunday afternoon, Fiorentina played their first game since the death of Davide Astori.
The Fiorentina captain died last weekend of a suspected heart attack. The club had been scheduled to play Udinese last Sunday. However, after Astori was found dead in his hotel room, all Serie A games were cancelled.
Aged just 31, Astori's funeral took place in Florence on Thursday morning. Thousands stood in the square outside Basilica di Santa Croce.
Prior to kick-off in today's game against Benevento, there was a perfectly observed moment of silence along with applause to celebrate the Italian international's life.
💜 "Ciao Davide" 💜
Emotional scenes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as Fiorentina pay tribute to Davide Astori. pic.twitter.com/YlF89x017t— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2018
With 13 minutes on the clock - the same number which Astori wore for Fiorentina - the ball was put out of play.
The game comes to a stop in the 13th minute as everyone pays tribute to Davide Astori.
Beautiful 💜 pic.twitter.com/6HPo5P4jrc— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2018
A first half Vitor Hugo header gave Fiorentina the lead. Hugo celebrated the goal with his teammates before holding up a t-shirt bearing Astori's image and then saluting it.
La dedicatoria de Víctor Hugo a Astore... y algunos aún dirán que es solo fútbol #CiaoDavide pic.twitter.com/rD8Ak1wHhP
— MANOJ DASWANI (@mdaswani) March 11, 2018
