How Serie A clubs and stars reacted to Russia-Ukraine war

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine triggered reactions from Serie A clubs and players, including Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Thursday and Vladimir Putin’s forces are heading toward Kyiv. Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi is in a hotel in the Ukrainian capital along with his Italian staff members and some Shakhtar Donetsk players.

The ex Sassuolo boss didn’t leave Ukraine because the season should have resumed this weekend. However, the league was officially suspended yesterday when Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights.

His former club sent a message to De Zerbi on Twitter.

“Today, the situation in Kyiv is dramatic. A terrible war is shaking Ukraine. We are close to the people affected by this tragedy.

“Our thoughts are with coach De Ze Serbi, his staff and Marlon, who have always been part of the Neroverdi family. Take care of yourself, we are waiting for you in Italy as soon as possible.”

Milan also reacted on Twitter this morning, writing: ‘Peace, please’ while Sampdoria changed their Twitter name into #WeStandForPeace and will include the same hashtag in each one of their tweets.

Ukraine and Atalanta star Ruslan Malinovskyi showed a message for his country after scoring in La Dea’s 3-0 win over Olympiacos last night. The 28-year-old had also shared a link to donate to support the Ukrainian military.

Napoli and Barcelona showed a ‘STOP WAR’ banner before kick-off in a Europa League game with a Russian referee last night.

Atalanta’s Malinovskyi sends ‘No war in Ukraine’ message

The FIGC has decided to postpone the kick-off of every football match in Italy by five minutes to raise awareness of the war and many players and clubs have reacted on social media to the ongoing conflict.

Italy and Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini is among those who shared a social media message following the first reports of the Russian invasion.

“This morning’s awakening was shocking and traumatic,” the defender wrote on Twitter.

“I found myself helpless watching images that I couldn’t make sense of. I hoped until the end that the situation would not come to this point and that the crisis would not degenerate into a conflict.

“I hope that the domino effect will not be triggered and that diplomacy will heal such a serious breach. My thoughts and my solidarity go out to the people of Ukraine and to all the victims of this war.”

Peace, please. pic.twitter.com/PyFOx9tLyr

— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 25, 2022

Fermiamo la guerra.#StopWar pic.twitter.com/30qHnzJ0V4

— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) February 24, 2022

#WeStandForPeace pic.twitter.com/NUDI4VOuyP

— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) February 24, 2022

🕊 | Peace

Starting today @sampdoria_en will be called #WeStandForPeace🕊. Every tweet from our account will include this hashtag as a sign of solidarity to all the victims of war and armed conflict.

Peace is more important than any victory.

— Sampdoria English (@sampdoria_en) February 25, 2022

#Pace #Peace #prayforUkraine🙏

— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) February 24, 2022

🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/gs0qa7vldU

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 24, 2022

Ukraine under attack right NOW.
Please, spread the word and pray for our country! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/i0WwSVIPJ8

— Ruslan Malinovskyi (@malinovskyi18) February 24, 2022

Il risveglio di questa mattina è stato sconvolgente e traumatico.
Mi sono ritrovato inerme a guardare immagini a cui non sono stato in grado di dare un senso.
Ho sperato fino all'ultimo che non si arrivasse a questo punto e che la crisi non degenerasse in un conflitto.

— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) February 24, 2022

 

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