sport news Sampdoria pay tribute to icon Gianluca Vialli as players wear No 9 'Vialli' ... trends now
Sampdoria paid emotional tribute to their club legend Gianluca Vialli on Sunday, after the death of their legendary former player on Friday.
Following Vialli's death, the squad warmed up in No 9 shirts with his name on the back ahead of their clash with Serie A leaders Napoli, while banners bearing his name and further messages from fans swirled in the stands.
Flowers and scarves were left in front of a giant banner with Vialli's name and photos of him in Sampdoria blue at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, following the former Chelsea player-manager's death after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sampdoria players wore shirts in memory of ex-player Gianluca Vialli ahead of kick-off
Fans carried a banner at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium bearing the message 'Gianluca, one of us'
Flowers and scarves were left in front of banners bearing images of the legendary ex-striker
Vialli is the club's tenth-highest appearance maker and their second-top scorer of all-time
Ahead of their first league game since Vialli's tragic death, the Blucerchiati paid tribute to their former player, who was part of three Italian Cup winning sides and the team that won Serie A in 1990-91.
With players warming up in shirts bearing his name and number, supporters carried numerous banners bearing messages to the 58-year-old Italian, such as 'Gianluca, one of us.'
Outside the Luigi Ferraris Stadium countless flowers were left in front of a depiction of the Champions League winner which bore a further tribute, reading 'we love you,' wear fans paid their respects ahead of kick-off.
Some fans brought No 9 shirts for Vialli, as well as designing their own banners in his honour
The Stadium was adorned with numerous depictions of Sampdoria's legendary ex-striker
