Davide Astori: Fiorentina pay emotional tribute to former captain

Fiorentina fans made a stunning tribute to Davide Astori

Fiorentina paid an emotional tribute to former captain Davide Astori as they played their first game since the 31-year-old's sudden death last Sunday.

The Serie A club defeated Benevento 1-0, with Vitor Hugo grabbing a T-shirt bearing Astori's image after scoring.

Astori wore the number 13 shirt and the match stopped after 13 minutes, with 60 seconds applause taking place.

A post-mortem examination revealed cardiac arrest as the most likely cause of death.

The player's funeral took place on Thursday and Italian top-flight fixtures resumed on Friday, with Roma hosting Torino.

Sunday's match in Florence was preceded by emotional scenes, with players from both sides crying as Italian star Jovanotti sang one of his hits.

The Fiorentina players held a home-made banner that said "Ciao Davide" - and both teams had the same phrase sewn on the left shoulders of their shirt.

During the warm-up, all the Fiorentina players wore shirts with the number 13 on them and the name Astori, while a huge banner in the crowd said "Ciao captain".

The stadium announcer included "number 13, forever our captain, Davide Astori" when announcing the line-up.

Video screens played images of the Italy defender and the mascots wore either Fiorentina or Cagliari shirts - the latter being one of Astori's former clubs.

Fans in the stands held messages and banners and chanted "one captain, there's only one captain!".

Fiorentina's Vitor Hugo celebrated his goal by holding up a T-shirt featuring a picture of Davide Astori

Children from both teams wear shirts with the number 13 and Astori on back, in tribute to Davide Astori

Fiorentina fans during the match against Benevento

A banner from the Fiorentina fans. It translates as 'goodbye great captain'

Players from both sides paid tribute to Davide Astori before the game

Fiorentina banners hold up a banner in memory of Davide Astori before the match

Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli was emotional during the tribute to Davide Astori