CHELSEA fans paid an emotional tribute to Gianluca Vialla before facing Manchester City.
The legendary Italian passed away on Friday aged 58 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
And in their first match since his tragic death, former club Chelsea honoured him in a touching way.
The Blues stars warmed up for their FA Cup third-round clash at the Etihad all wearing Vialli’s No9 on the back of their tops.
Chelsea’s players, staff and fans were then joined by their City counterparts before kick-off with a minute’s applause for the striker.
Supporters in the stands held up banners and sang Vialli’s name to honour the popular figure.
The 59-cap international moved to Stamford Bridge in 1996 and was immediately adored by fans, scoring 40 goals in 88 appearances.
He helped the team win the FA Cup in his first season in England and took on the role as player-manager in 1998 when Ruud Gullit was sacked.
Vialli led Chelsea to the Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup in the season he took over.
When the sad news was announced this week, the football world mourned a “gentle soul” and “universally-loved guy”.
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Chelsea tweeted: “You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.
“Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
