Genoa fans remain silent for 43 minutes in memory of bridge collapse victims

That was one minute for each of the 43 victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse in the port city this month.

In the 43rd minute, spectators began applauding respectfully as the names of those who died in the tragedy 12 days earlier were listed on a giant screen inside the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Then the fans started chanting “Genova, Genova”, the Italian name of the city.

By then, Genoa had taken a 2-0 lead courtesy of early goals from Krzysztof Piatek and Christian Kouame, both of which were set up by Genoa captain Domenico Criscito.

A general view of the collapsed Morandi bridge (Simone Arveda/AP)

Genoa won 2-1 after Samuel Mraz pulled one back for Empoli in stoppage time.

Criscito had entered the pitch before kickoff with Cesare Cerulli, the 11-year-old son of bridge collapse victim Andrea Cerulli.

“The first thought always goes to the tragedy,” Genoa coach Davide Ballardini said.

“Then you train but every day you take a road or something else that reminds you of it.

Genoa defender Domenico Criscito enters the pitch with Cesare Cerulli, son of Andrea Cerulli, one of the 43 victims (Simone Arveda/AP)

“Our legs and heads were heavy.”

Criscito and the other Genoa players wore T-shirts that read “Genoa nel cuore”, Genoa in the heart, with a design featuring a heart in the middle of the bridge span.

There was also a minute of silence observed and Genoa wore black ribbons on its shirts while the space usually reserved for sponsors was left blank.

A huge banner hanging from the stadium’s upper deck read: “In silence for you, hurt 43 times in the heart. Get back on your feet proudly and become splendid again!”