Fiorentina pay tribute to Commisso: ‘He was a warrior, he wanted us to play’

Fiorentina director Alessandro Ferrari explains they ‘had no doubts’ President Rocco Commisso wanted them to play against Bologna, as the squad and fans pay tribute.It kicks off at the Stadio Dall...

Fiorentina pay tribute to Commisso: ‘He was a warrior, he wanted us to play’
Fiorentina pay tribute to Commisso: ‘He was a warrior, he wanted us to play’

Fiorentina director Alessandro Ferrari explains they ‘had no doubts’ President Rocco Commisso wanted them to play against Bologna, as the squad and fans pay tribute.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from all today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

LA SPEZIA, ITALY – 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)

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

A minute’s 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’s fixture against Bologna to be postponed.

Fiorentina play in honour of Commisso

UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 17: A minutes’s 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)

“He was an exceptional person who gave us his everything,” director Ferrari told DAZN Italia.

“All 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.

“I 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.”

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.

PISA, ITALY – 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)

The team are warming up with special shirts in his honour, with ‘1 Rocco’ on the back, and ‘Grazie Rocco’ on the front.

“I 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,” goalkeeper David De Gea told DAZN Italia.

“He 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’s true we had good results in recent matches, we need to build consistency and know how tough it’ll be today.”

Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Mandragora, Fagioli; Parisi, Ndour, Gudmundsson; Piccoli

Category: General Sports