AC Milan have paid solemn tribute to victims of the coronavirus pandemic during their 2-0 Italian Serie A win over Roma.
It was Milan's first home match since the lockdown and the team put up a huge banner on Sunday along one side of the empty San Siro stadium that read "Together Forever," dedicated to victims.
The Lombardy region, of which Milan is the capital, was the hardest hit area in Italy with more than 16,000 deaths.
Under the banner, 13 Milan shirts with victims' names on them were placed over the seats.
In game action, both sides appeared to struggle with the 32C heat until Ante Rebic finally found the target for Milan in the 76th.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored from a penalty in the 89th to seal the result.
"It was very hot, so it was unthinkable to play at an intense rhythm for 90 minutes," Milan coach Stefano Pioli said.
The game was labelled an "American derby" between clubs with US ownership.
It was Milan's second straight win after the season restart and first victory this season over a team in the top six.
"We won deservedly, because we stayed together as a squad when in trouble," Pioli said.
"We were looking for a victory against a strong opponent and we got it deservedly."
The Rossoneri are in seventh place while Roma remained fifth and dropped nine points behind Atalanta, who beat Udinese 3-2 and hold the final Champions League spot.
Luis Muriel scored twice after coming off the bench for Atalanta who set a club record with 80 goals this season.
Third-place Inter Milan scored twice in the last seven minutes to secure a 2-1 win at Parma.
After an early opener from Gervinho, Inter hit back with headers from Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.
Parma were reduced to 10 men after De Vrij's goal when Juraj Kucka was sent off for protests.
Sixth-placed Napoli maintained their strong form after the lockdown with a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened SPAL while Bologna beat Sampdoria 2-1 and Sassuolo drew 3-3 with Verona.
Australian Associated Press
