01/18/26 10:18:00
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01/18 10:16 CST Fiorentina pays tribute to late owner Rocco Commisso in
emotional 2-1 win at Bologna
Fiorentina pays tribute to late owner Rocco Commisso in emotional 2-1 win at
Bologna
By DANIELLA MATAR
AP Sports Writer
MILAN (AP) --- Fiorentina paid tribute to owner Rocco Commisso with special
shirts and a heartwarming goal celebration in an emotional 2-1 win at Bologna
in Serie A on Sunday.
It was announced early Saturday that Commisso, who purchased Fiorentina in
2019, had died. But his family wanted the team to play as scheduled in his
honor.
Fiorentina warmed up wearing shirts with Commisso's photo as well as the words
"1 Rocco" on the back, and "Grazie Rocco" on the front.
There was a minute's silence before kickoff --- as in all the Serie A matches
this weekend --- and the players were also wearing black armbands, while the
away fans displayed banners in tribute to Commisso.
Rolando Mandragora celebrated scoring the opening goal in the 19th minute by
running to the touchline and picking up a special Fiorentina jersey with
"Rocco" on it.
Roberto Piccoli doubled Fiorentina's goal on the stroke of halftime. It was
initially ruled out for offside but awarded on video review.
Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano, who coached Fiorentina to three finals before
leaving in 2024, was visibly irate with his team --- hurling his hat to the
ground --- and made four changes at halftime.
One of those substitutes, Giovanni Fabbian, headed in a late consolation.
Relegation-threatened Fiorentina moved level on points with Lecce, which
occupies the last place of safety and was playing at second-placed AC Milan
later.
Bologna slid down the table to eighth after one win in 10 Serie A matches.
Earlier Sunday, Parma drew 0-0 with Genoa in a relegation battle.
Genoa is three points above the drop zone and three below Parma.
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