Sports
Davide Astori honoured by Fiorentina in first clash since tragic passing
FIORENTINA players wore shirts bearing Davide Astori’s name and number in the warm-up for their first match since their former skipper’s tragic passing.
Benevento are the visitors for an emotional affair at the Artemio Franchi, with an eerie silence greeting the players as they emerged for the match.
The players held a huge banner bearing the words “Captain forever” before kick-off.
Many fans turned up ahead of time to pay their respects to their former captain and idol, while players from both sides lined up arm-in-arm in an emotional tribute.
Benevento’s official match pendant had the words “Ciao Davide 13” attached to it.
While announcing the line-up, the stadium announcer, said: “At 13, our captain forever: Davide Astori.”
Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli named Milan Baldelj as captain for the match.
Riccardo Saponara, whose heartfelt tribute to his form
Meanwhile, Davide astori’s replacement for Fiorentina Vitor Hugo scored his first-ever goal for the club in their first match since the tragic passing of their former captain.
Tributes were paid before the contest and play was stopped on 13 minutes so fans and players could applaud the ex-Italy international.
Then, eight minutes later, Hugo headed home Riccardo Saponara’s corner to open the scoring.
Players were met with an eerie silence as an emotional crowd remember Astori. The sound from players shaking hands could be heard, despite the sellout crowd.
Banners in memory of Astori were scattered amongst the crowd, while the players held up their own tribute to their former captain.
While the stadium announcer named him in the starting line-up for the day, insisting he would always be their captain.
Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli, who was moved to tears before kick-off, was looking for the victory which would temporarily move his side up to ninth place.
The opening goal arrived on 25 minutes as Hugo headed home Riccardo Saponara’s corner.
Benevento, who are rock bottom on ten points, were in search of their first-ever away point in Serie A and looked dangerous whenever they went forward.
La Viola goalkeeper Marco Sportiello was forced into a number of smart saves.
But the home side should have been further ahead before half-time as Giovanni Simeone — son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego — missed a number of chances.
Milan Baldelj, who wore Astori’s captain’s armband, almost settled the game in the final minute when his thunderous effort rattled the post.
Marco Benassi really should have scored from the rebound as he skied over and allowed Benevento one last chance.
But they couldn’t capitalise and Fiorentina held on for a victory, as Benevento’s slim hopes of staying up are almost extinguished.
Players form both sides failed to hide their emotions after the final whistle as several fell to the ground in floods of tears as they remember their tragic former team-mate.
While Baldelj symbolically held up the captain’s armband to the crowd.
It was an emotional occasion and fitting tribute which showed just how much of an imprint Astori left on his Fiorentina team-mates.
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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