Fiorentina’s first match after the death of their captain Davide Astori was always going to be extremely emotional.After the defender devastatingly passed away last weekend before their match against Udinese, the whole of football has been in mourning.The Fiorentina players probably needed a lot longer than a week to get over Astori’s death but they had to return to the field to face Benevento on Sunday morning.But Viola paid the ultimate tribute to their skipper.Ahead of the match, they played an emotional video as everyone in the stadium held up their scarves in honour.Then, in the 13th-minute - Astori’s shirt number - the match stopped.The ball was kicked out of play and players, officials and supporters all took part in a minute’s applause.It was a beautiful, beautiful moment.

FIORENTINA'S 13TH-MINUTE TRIBUTE FOR ASTORI

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Ahead of the match, Fiorentina coach, Stafano Poli, explained just what made Astori so special.

"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," said Pioli, who took charge in June.

"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 thoughts are with his family. I don't know what to say to [partner] Francesca and [daughter] Vittoria, other than we will always be there for them."

While the players probably still don’t have the mindset to play football, they will be desperate to finish the season strongly to do Astori proud.

And 12 minutes after their one-minute applause, Vitor Hugo put them 1-0 up against bottom-placed Benevento. The celebration was all about Astori.

A win would lift Fiorentina into ninth for the time-being, moving them within six points of Sampdoria in sixth - who currently occupy a Europa League qualification spot.