Milan coach Stefano Pioli admits he still ‘relives the trauma’ of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori’s death every time he receives a sudden call.
The defender was found dead in his hotel room the morning of a Serie A match against Udinese, aged 31, due to an undiagnosed heart condition.
Pioli was the coach of Fiorentina at the time and had to help his squad through an unimaginable tragedy.
Today, Pioli received the USSI Sardegna Award that is named after Astori, who spent much of his career in Cagliari.
“I am proud and honoured to receive this award. I was very fortunate to know Davide, such a special person. We had a brief time together, but it will tie us together forever. He is still alive in our memories and that is how it will always be.”
Astori was a well-loved captain by everyone in the Fiorentina squad, also an Italy international, and the Viola fans remember him in every game at the 13th minute, referring to his shirt number.
“When there was the need, we often supported each other,” continued Pioli. “It’s rare I’ve met someone so ready to always be at the disposal of his teammates. He transmitted this sense of enjoying their company, being a leader and a guide, he always knew the right thing to say at the right moment.
“Every time I get a sudden call, I relive that trauma, and I think none of us have ever recovered from it. We must continue with the good memories, because Davide is with us and the lessons he taught, his feeling of peace, can always help us.”
Stefano #Pioli ha ricevuto il premio Astori da parte dell’Ussi Sardegna. Ecco le sue parole pic.twitter.com/oAoGk122dj
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) October 4, 2021