Massimiliano Allegri observes minute silence for former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli

Massimiliano Allegri observes minute silence for former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli during his pre-match press conference… as Juventus boss labels the ex-Chelsea star a ‘role model for younger players’

Published: 12:20 EST, 6 January 2023 | Updated: 13:07 EST, 6 January 2023

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Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri held a minute’s silence during his press conference to remember former Bianconeri player Gianluca Vialli.

Vialli, whose death comes just weeks after Sinisa Mihajlovic and Brazilian legend Pele, passed away last night surrounded by his family following a five-year cancer battle.

The former Chelsea striker made a lasting impact in Italy before moving to England and Allegri opted to hold a moment of silence in memory before praising the club icon.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri (R) held a minute’s silence in his press conference

Allegri paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli (above) who died at the age of 58 on Friday, as well as Juventus legend Ernesto Castano who made 265 appearances for the club from 1958-1970

Speaking at the start of his pre-match press conference, Allegri said: ‘Before starting the press conference, it is only right to remember Ernesto Castano and Gianluca Vialli. Two players but first of all two men.

‘They gave so much to Juventus and the Italian national team. I kindly ask you to take a minute of recollection in memory of these two men.’

‘I knew Vialli personally and he meant so much to Italian football. He was a role model for the younger players and we will all miss him. Watching him play, you couldn’t help but be in awe of his technique, his heart and his passion.’

Juventus signed Vialli for a then world record fee of £12.5million in 1992 and his success continued with triumphs in the UEFA Cup, Serie A and the Italian Cup.

Vialli represented Italy in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and gained popularity in England during a short spell at Stamford Bridge.

Vialli won the Champions League at Juventus in 1996

He scored 53 goals in 145 matches for Juventus

Vialli achieved success at all of his clubs as a player, but with Juventus won the Champions League in 1996 having lost the 1992 final at Sampdoria

Vialli learned to embrace his illness and leaves behind a sporting and spiritual legacy

Vialli was a key figure in Italy’s run to winning Euro 2020, serving as their head of delegation

Tributes have been pooring in for Vialli and, following the news, Chelsea tweeted: ‘You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.’

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali then added: ‘This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.

‘His impact as a player, a coach and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.’

Outside Stamford Bridge, fans began laying down flowers to pay their respects below a portrait of their former player and coach.

Vialli served as Chelsea’s player-manager and then manager, leading them to the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup in 1998, plus the FA Cup in 2000.

Chelsea were a successful cup side under Vialli, winning the League Cup in 1998

Sampdoria fans also showed their support until the end as they hung a supportive banner outside the London hospital where he was being treated.

‘I am deeply saddened,’ said Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina.

‘I hoped until the end that he would be able to perform another miracle, yet I am comforted by the certainty that what he did for Italian football and the blue shirt will never be forgotten.

‘Gianluca was a splendid person and he leaves a void that cannot be filled, in the national team and in all those who have appreciated his extraordinary human qualities.’

Vialli was diagnosed with the illness for a second time in 2021, having been given the all-clear in April 2020 following a 17-month struggle.

A supportive banner had been left by fans outside the hospital where Vialli was being treated

WHAT IS PANCREATIC CANCER?

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms of the disease, and around 95 per cent of people who contract it die from it.

Joan Crawford, Patrick Swayze and Luciano Pavarotti all died of pancreatic cancer.

It is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the UK – around 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the UK, alongside about 55,000 in the US.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

It is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas – a large gland in the digestive system.

WHO HAS THE HIGHEST RISK?

Most cases (90 per cent) are in people over the age of 55.

Around half of all new cases occur in people aged 75 or older.

One in 10 cases are attributed to genetics.

Other possible causes include age, smoking and other health conditions, including diabetes.

WHY IS IT SO LETHAL?

There is no screening method for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer typically does not show symptoms in the early stages, when it would be more manageable.

Sufferers tend to start developing the tell-tale signs – jaundice and abdominal pain – around stage 3 or 4, when it has likely already spread to other organs.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

The only effective treatment is removal of the pancreas.

This proves largely ineffective for those whose cancer has spread to other organs.

In those cases, palliative care is advised to ease their pain at the end of their life.

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