MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 04:04:16| >> :600:121693:121693:

Fiorentina, Benevento to remember Davide Astori at Stadio Artemio Franchi

Fiorentina, Benevento to remember Astori
© Offside
Fiorentina face Benevento on Sunday in the first match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi since Davide Astori's death last week.

Fiorentina face Benevento on Sunday in the first match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi since Davide Astori's death last week.

The former Viola captain passed away in his sleep last Saturday, with this weekend's match expected to be a sombre occasion of remembrance.

Astori's funeral took place in Florence on Thursday, with representatives from all Serie A clubs in attendance. Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini, who paid an emotional tribute to the late defender after his side's Champions League victory in midweek, was there as the crowd chanted "There's only one captain".

Ahead of the match, Fiorentina manager Stefano Piolo said that Astori was a "generous" and "altruistic" character, while also praising the club's fans for their response to the player's passing.

"The first thought goes to Davide, who I was fortunate enough to know over the last few months. He was special as both a person and a captain," the manager told reporters. "He always found the right way and time to say things. He was generous, positive, altruistic. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend much time with him and I'll miss him. I miss him every day I step on to that training ground.

"Our fans have a huge heart. I wanted to hug each and every one of them to console them and let them console us, so together we could find the strength to go on. We thank the whole football world, because such participation and solidarity is certainly down to Davide, but also means that there are still principles and values in a world that at times is described differently.

"Our club owners again showed their sensitivity and did everything possible to help the team. We are crying and suffering, because Davide was our reference point, but we know what to do in order to honour his memory."

Fiorentina have the chance to consolidate a spot in the top half of the table against their bottom-club opponents.

ID:320622: cacheID:320622:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3336:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
The coffin of Fiorentina skipper Davide Astori is carried at his funeral on March 8, 2018
Read Next:
Davide Astori's funeral held in Florence
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter Milan29244171145776
2AC Milan29195555332262
3Juventus29178444232159
4Bologna29159542251754
5Roma29156855352051
6Atalanta BCAtalanta28145951321947
7Napoli29129844331145
8Fiorentina2812794132943
9Lazio29134123633343
10Monza2911993236-442
11Torino29101182826241
12Genoa29810113136-534
13Lecce29610132645-1928
14Udinese29415102844-1627
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2968152639-1326
16CagliariCagliari2968152950-2126
17Empoli2967162243-2125
18FrosinoneFrosinone2966173760-2324
19SassuoloSassuolo2965183356-2323
20Salernitana2928192359-3614

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!