Genoa marked their side’s first Serie A game of the season by paying tribute to those who lost their lives when the Morandi bridge collapsed over the city earlier this month.
Along with banners and messages of condolence being displayed in the stands at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, the names of the 43 victims were also listed on the big screen.
The fans then maintained a solemn silence inside the stadium for the first 43 minutes of the match against Empoli, before chanting “Genova, Genova” in unison in the 44th.
Before the match, Genoa captain Domenico Criscito was escorted to the pitch by Cesare Cerulli, the 11-year-old son of one of the victims of the tragedy.
As with the rest of the Rossoblu players, the pair wore t-shirts that red “Genoa in our heart”.
Both sets of players then wore black armbands, with Genoa leaving their shirt sponsor blank as a mark of respect.
The home side went on to record a 2-1 victory, with goals from Krzysztof Piatek and Christian Kouame, both of which were assisted by Criscito.
Speaking after the match, Genoa coach Davide Ballardini admitted that the bridge collapse had deeply affected his squad, just as it had the rest of the city.
The first thought always goes to the tragedy. We train, but every day you take a road or something else that reminds you of it. Our legs and heads were heavy.
Genoa were due to kick-off their Serie A campaign against AC Milan last weekend but the game was postponed as the city was still observing a period of mourning.