'Ciao Capitano' - Fiorentina pay emotional tribute to Davide Astori during win over Benevento

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Tom Doyle11 March 2018

Fiorentina players and fans paid tribute to their late captain Davide Astori before and during an emotional Serie A win over Benevento at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

The Florence club were playing their first game since Astori died suddenly in his sleep at the team hotel last week.

Fans unveiled banners in Astori's honour and players warmed up in shirts bearing his name and number (13) with the words: 'Captain forever'.

Purple and white balloons were released after an impeccably observed minute's silence as part of a series of deeply moving scenes.

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The match was halted in the 13th minute for a sustained round of applause and there was special choreography in the stands, with the fans turning one end purple with "Davide 13" while everyone chanted Astori's name.

Getty Images

Vitor Hugo headed the only goal of the game in the 25th minute and celebrated by hugging coach Stefano Pioli before raising a shirt picturing Astori to the crowd.

Getty Images

There were plenty more No. 13 shirts and banners in the stands, including in the visitors' section, with one huge one that read: "There are men who never die.

"There are stories that are passed on through eternity. Bon voyage, Captain."

Davide Astori Funeral - In pictures

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Additional reporting by the Press Association and Associated Press.

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