sport">The players walked onto the field in shirts with the name Maradona and the number 10 on the back. Trainer Gennaro Gattuso wore the same shirt along the line. After a minute of silence, the players took off the Maradona shirt and then started the game in their own uniform.
The players of Napoli and Rijeka reflect on the death of Diego Maradona, who is watching from the video screen.
Ⓒ AFP
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sport">Maradona, who wore the light blue Napoli shirt between 1984 and 1991, died of a heart attack on Wednesday. The Argentinian gave the club from Naples two national titles, in 1987 and 1990. He also won the UEFA Cup with Napoli. Maradona is worshiped like a god in Naples. He has been immortalized in the city on murals, among other things.
Napoli players enter the field in special shirts.
Ⓒ Reuters
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sport">It is planned that Stadio San Paolo, home to Napoli, will bear the name of Maradona. Thousands of supporters gathered around the stadium on Thursday. They hung banners and pictures of Maradona on the fences. Shortly before kick-off, captain Lorenzo Insigne laid a flower arrangement near the fence together with material manager Tommaso Starace, who has been working at Napoli for years.
A great sea of flowers, scarves and shirts at the Napoli stadium.
Ⓒ EPA
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sport">The game must be played without an audience, but outside San Paolo was a huge crowd. The fans lit fireworks and sang songs about Maradona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlU1afYeA88
sport">Fans took to the streets in Naples en masse on Wednesday evening to honor the deceased football legend.
Extra motivated
sport">Napoli is extra motivated to win a prize this season. The club from Naples wants to honor Maradona with a trophy. “Diego is a legend and he never disappears. He is immortal ”, said trainer Gennaro Gattuso after the victory over Rijeka (2-0).
sport">“There has been a very sad atmosphere in the city since Wednesday. Diego was an icon, a champion. He is probably even more important in Naples than San Gennaro, ”said Gattuso about the bishop who is seen as the city’s patron saint. “We will always talk about Maradona here. This is his town. We hope to be able to dedicate something special to him and win a prize for him. ”
Dries Mertens
sport">“I understand that everyone is sad, but let’s cherish the good memories,” said Dries Mertens, the Belgian forward who has been the all-time top scorer of Napoli since June. “Diego is the symbol of Naples.”
sport">Napoli will come to Alkmaar next week for a duel with AZ in the group stage of the Europa League.
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