{"id":4098,"date":"2026-01-18T13:55:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T13:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/he-was-a-warrior-he-wanted-us-to-play\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T13:55:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T13:55:39","slug":"he-was-a-warrior-he-wanted-us-to-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/he-was-a-warrior-he-wanted-us-to-play\/","title":{"rendered":"‘He was a warrior, he wanted us to play’"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"ACF<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

ACF Fiorentina’s President Rocco Commisso waves to supporters ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League final football match between Olympiakos and Fiorentina on May 29, 2024 at the AEK Arena in Athens. (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis \/ AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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Fiorentina director Alessandro Ferrari explains they \u2018had no doubts\u2019 President Rocco Commisso wanted them to play against Bologna, as the squad and fans pay tribute.<\/p>\n

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall\u2019Ara at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).<\/p>\n

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from all today\u2019s Serie A games on the Liveblog.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"LA<\/source><\/picture>
LA SPEZIA, ITALY \u2013 OCTOBER 30: Joe Barone general manager of Fiorentina (L) and Rocco Commisso chairman of Fiorentina look on during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Alberto Picco on October 30, 2022 in La Spezia, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

President Commisso died on Saturday morning at his home in America, as illness had prevented him from travelling to Italy for several months.<\/p>\n

A minute\u2019s silence will be held before very Serie A game this weekend, along with black armbands for the players, but the Viola did not ask for today\u2019s fixture against Bologna to be postponed.<\/p>\n

Fiorentina play in honour of Commisso<\/h2>\n
\"UDINE,
UDINE, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 17: A minutes\u2019s silence is held for the passing of Rocco Commisso, President of ACF Fiorentina, at the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on January 17, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe was an exceptional person who gave us his everything,\u201d director Ferrari told DAZN Italia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the messages that arrived showed the great affection he inspired, how much people recognised his heart. I thank everyone on behalf of his family. He was a warrior, a fighter, and that is why we are here today to play for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no doubts Rocco wanted us to play. Everyone is here, including those who are injured and cannot play, because we all wanted to be here for Rocco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moise Kean, Edin Dzeko and Tariq Lamptey are not fit to play, but have travelled with the squad to Bologna for this event, so they could be part of the commemorations for Commisso.<\/p>\n

\"PISA,
PISA, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 28: David de Gea of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and ACF Fiorentina at Arena Garibaldi on September 28, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The team are warming up with special shirts in his honour, with \u20181 Rocco\u2019 on the back, and \u2018Grazie Rocco\u2019 on the front.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to send a big hug to the Commisso family from the whole squad and club, to thank him for all he did for Fiorentina, for football, and he is certainly here with us today,\u201d goalkeeper David De Gea told DAZN Italia.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed a man of great humility, who did so much for Fiorentina and we can only thank him. We are more united than ever, have even more responsibility to achieve our objective. It\u2019s true we had good results in recent matches, we need to build consistency and know how tough it\u2019ll be today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bologna:<\/strong> Ravaglia; Holm, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro<\/p>\n

Fiorentina:<\/strong> De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Mandragora, Fagioli; Parisi, Ndour, Gudmundsson; Piccoli<\/p>\n

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