Udinese sporting director Federico Balzaretti has paid tribute to Joe Barone.

The Fiorentina director general passed away yesterday after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday.

Balzaretti said: "A big hug to Barone's family and Fiorentina.

"Barone was a manager who left so much to Florence and to Italian football, I spoke to him many times in person, he did a great job, he brought Fiorentina to the top in Europe.

"His work will bear fruit for many years to come. A great disappointment when these things happen, a big hug again to the family."