Raffaele Palladino says Monza will play for Pablo Mari when they face Bologna after the defender was injured in a multiple stabbings incident at a supermarket near Milan.

One person died and Monza's on-loan Arsenal centre-back Mari was among five who were injured during a terrifying incident, with a suspect arrested after being disarmed on Thursday.

The Spanish defender is expected to be out of action for at least two months after successful back surgery.

"It's not that we didn't want to play. The first news shook the whole group and it's normal that we were shocked," head coach Palladino said when asked about not postponing the upcoming game.

"Initially we thought about a postponement, but the team reacted well especially when they learned that Pablo was out of danger.

"A bad week, but at the same time beautiful. Pablo Mari is a miracle worker. Our duty is to play and go on the pitch and give everything also for our team-mate. We have no regrets over not postponing."

Former Juventus winger Filippo Ranocchia echoed Palladino's sentiment as he assured Monza will have Mari on their minds in their next Serie A clash.

"We couldn't believe it, it seemed absurd that one of our team-mates had been stabbed while shopping with his family. It was shocking news for everyone," Ranocchia told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"When we heard that his life was not in danger it was a huge relief, we wanted to go and see him right away, but the team told us it was better to wait.

"After the operation. We knew he had to sleep, but we sent him messages in the team chat. When he woke up and wrote to us that the worst was over and that he couldn't wait to come back, it was beautiful.

"We will play for Pablo but also for Luis Fernando Ruggieri who lost his life in this crazy attack. Our thoughts go out to him, to his loved ones and to all the people involved in that night of terror."

Former Napoli defender Massimo Tarantino does not believe he is a hero, despite stepping in to halt the man responsible for multiple stabbings at a supermarket near Milan.

One person died and Monza's on-loan Arsenal defender Pablo Mari was among five who were injured during a terrifying incident on Thursday.

A suspect was arrested after he was disarmed by Tarantino, who has explained what prompted him to step in.

He told Stats Perform: "I was with my wife and daughter, we were at the till. We were putting the stuff on the checkout belt, and we realised [that something was going on], because there were very loud screams. We all kind of stopped at the tills, trying to figure out what was going on.

"But then there were more screams, one after the other in the space of a few seconds. At that point, the whole supermarket was kind of frozen, trying to figure out what was going on.

"After a few seconds, from one of the aisles right next to our till, someone came out who was probably one of those who had been stabbed; he was shouting for help and had blood all over his shirt. At that point there was a bit of panic, because people were clearly running away as they couldn't understand what had happened.

"After a few more seconds, another man came out. It was the person with the knife who was unfortunately aiming at the tills where I was with my wife and child. There wasn't much distance from that lane to the tills, about fifteen metres. So the instinctive reaction was to push my wife and daughter away and run.

"He was already almost there [close to me]. But in front of me there was this other employee who was between me and him, and he got stabbed. In the stabbing, they probably both lost their balance and fell into the checkout shelves where all the sweets are. Then I had the instinct not to run away.

"I had taken a step back, but I didn't run away and took advantage of the fact he was on the ground. I kicked him in the hand where he held the knife, and at that point he lost it, but it wasn't too far away, so I quickly ducked down and threw it far away and immobilised him. At that point he had no reaction.

"All of this happening in an atmosphere of terror, with blood on the ground. A bit of a strange atmosphere."

In spite of his actions, Tarantino – who played for Napoli between 1989 and 1996 and coincidentally also had a loan spell with Monza during his career – refused to be labelled a hero.

"No, I don't feel it belongs to me [this role] and I'm also a bit uncomfortable [with it]," he said. "I think heroes are other people. There are definitely people who do things that are impossible to do. They deserve, perhaps, that recognition.

"I, again, just found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and maybe instinctively decided to make the right choice, but nothing more than that."

The 51-year-old said his instinct was to "protect my family" and insisted it was not something he thought a great deal about at the time, adding: "I think these are irrational moments. I didn't think, I didn't reason. I just saw this person heading towards us.

"I think the first instinct is to protect my family, so I just had the instinct to move them away, to get them away, to run away. Immediately after he stabbed the employee, so a metre and a half away from me, my first reaction was to move one step back; but afterwards my instinct probably didn't make me run away, but told me that maybe that was the ideal moment to help.

"So I didn't go back, and I kicked this person in the hand holding the knife. But again, these things are irrational. When I think about it, it wasn't a calculated, intentional thing, it was just an instinctive reaction."

Tarantino confirmed he and his family are fine after the ordeal, though reiterated sympathy for those who were harmed.

"Yes, luckily for us it went well, unlike others; but we all came back home uninjured," he said. "On the one hand we're happy; on the other, I repeat, we're still sorry for everyone who unfortunately got caught up in this.

"The only message I have is that I want to wish the best of luck to all the people who suffered this physical assault and who have to deal with this problem right now.

"Then I think that all the other people, probably like me, like my wife and daughter, have had a bad night, a huge scare, and I hope that they, all of us, will get over it as quickly as possible.

"But the biggest wish goes out to all the people who suffered this physical attack; and I feel a huge sorrow for the family of the person who didn't make it."

Mari stated that he and his family are "fine" after the Spanish defender underwent back surgery following the attack.

Pablo Mari says he and his family are "fine" and the on-loan Monza defender expressed his gratitude for the support he has received after being stabbed on Thursday.

The Spaniard, who joined Monza from Arsenal on a season-long deal in August, is expected to be out of action for at least two months after undergoing back surgery following the horrific attack in a supermarket near Milan.

One person died and a suspect was arrested after being disarmed, with former Napoli footballer Massimo Tarantino named as being among those who stopped the assault.

Mari stated on Friday that he felt lucky to be alive before posting a picture of himself and his wife giving the thumbs up in hospital on Instagram.

The 29-year-old wrote: "After the hard moment we experienced yesterday, both my family and I want to communicate that fortunately we are all fine despite the circumstances.

"We want to thank all the messages of support and affection that we are receiving.

"In addition, we want to send our condolences and all our strength to the family and friends of the deceased person, and we sincerely wish that all injured people recover as soon as possible."

Pablo Mari underwent successful back surgery on Friday after Monza's on-loan Arsenal defender survived a stabbing attack near Milan.

The Spanish defender is expected to be out of action for at least two months, Monza said.

One person died in Thursday's attack and a suspect was arrested after being disarmed, with former Napoli footballer Massimo Tarantino named as being among those who stopped the assault.

Monza said in a statement: "The specialists of the general surgery-trauma team of the Niguarda hospital in Milan this morning carried out the surgery to reconstruct the two injured muscles on Pablo Marí's back.

"The surgery went well and a hospital stay of two or three days is expected."

Monza said a rehabilitation stage will begin once Mari is discharged.

"This type of muscle injury usually requires two months of rest before you can resume physical activities," the club statement added.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported Mari recalling the attack, saying: "I was with the pushchair with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back. Then that man stabbed another in the throat.

"I was lucky, because I saw a person die in front of me."

A host of well-wishers have sent messages of support to Mari, including several of Monza's rival Serie A clubs.

 

The man who died in the attack was a shop cashier named as Luis Fernando Ruggieri.

Mari was visited in hospital on Thursday evening by Monza chief executive Adriano Galliani and head coach Raffaele Palladino.

Galliani said: "Pablo is an amazing guy. He had the strength to joke, telling me that he will be on the field on Monday.

"I brought him greetings from president [Silvio] Berlusconi and everyone, his team-mates who would have liked to come here even though, obviously, it was not possible."

Galliani said Mari "was probably saved by his height", as the stab injury missed his vital organs.

The former Milan executive added: "From a psychological point of view it seems to me that there are no problems, even if I am not a doctor."

Pablo Mari believes he is "lucky" to be alive after Monza's on-loan Arsenal defender survived a stabbing attack near Milan.

The Brazilian centre-back was one of several people injured in the attack, while one person died and a suspect was arrested after being disarmed. 

It was widely reported that former Napoli footballer Massimo Tarantino was among those who stopped the attacker.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported Mari as saying: "I was with the pushchair with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back. Then that man stabbed another in the throat.

"Today I was lucky, because I saw a person die in front of me."

The man who died in the attack was a shop cashier named Luis Fernando Ruggieri, to whose family Monza sent their sympathies.

Arsenal said on Thursday they had been informed that Mari, who is spending the season in Serie A, was "not seriously hurt".

Mari was visited at the Niguarda hospital on Thursday by Monza CEO Adriano Galliani and head coach Raffaele Palladino.

Galliani said: "Pablo is an amazing guy. He had the strength to joke, telling me that he will be on the field on Monday.

"I brought him greetings from president [Silvio] Berlusconi and everyone, his team-mates who would have liked to come here even though, obviously, it was not possible."

Galliani added Mari "was probably saved by his height", as the stab injury missed his vital organs.

Reports in Italy said Mari would undergo surgery on Friday to deal with the wounding he suffered during the incident, which took place in the town of Assago.

Monza issued a statement that read: "Dear Pablo, we are all here close to you and your family, we love you, keep fighting as you know how to do, you are a warrior and you will get well soon!"

Galliani added: "From a psychological point of view it seems to me that there are no problems, even if I am not a doctor."

Mari's father, meanwhile, told Spanish broadcaster Cope: "They have been very bad hours. They started calling me at 8pm and my heart skipped.

"I was able to talk to my son and he told me that he was fine and that he loved us very much."

Mikel Arteta says Pablo Mari "seems to be okay" after he was stabbed in an incident near Milan, while Arsenal said they have been told the defender, who is on loan at Monza, is "not seriously hurt".

The Brazilian centre-back was one of several people injured in the disturbing scenes at a supermarket in Carrefour, Serie A club Monza confirmed on Thursday.

Arteta, whose side were defeated in Europa League action against PSV, issued a brief comment on the situation when speaking to the media after the game.

"I just found out," he said. "I know that [Arsenal technical director] Edu has been in touch with his relatives, and that he's in hospital, and he seems to be okay.

"But I don't know, I will have a briefing now about the situation, what happened, and obviously we will be in touch with him, and hopefully he's okay."

Arsenal issued a club statement, explaining they had been in touch with Mari's agent.

"We are all shocked to hear the dreadful news about the stabbing in Italy, which has put a number of people in hospital including our on-loan centre-back Pablo Mari," it read.

"We have been in contact with Pablo's agent who has told us he's in hospital and is not seriously hurt.

"Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident."

Pablo Mari, the Arsenal defender who is on loan at Monza, is in hospital after being stabbed at a shopping centre on the outskirts of Milan.

The 29-year-old was one of several people injured during an incident at a supermarket in Carrefour.

Monza confirmed Mari is receiving care at Niguarda hospital in Milan, but his condition remains unknown.

According to reports, the suspect was arrested by police and subsequently taken into custody.

Mari has made eight appearances for Monza in Serie A this season, scoring in their 2-0 victory over Spezia earlier this month.

Milan head coach Stefano Pioli conceded Charles De Ketelaere "has to do more", as the Belgian's slow start to life at San Siro continued.

The 21-year-old was a marquee addition in the pre-season transfer window, penning a five-year deal after the Serie A champions splashed a reported €36million to secure his services from Club Brugge.

Expectations were high after 14 goals and nine assists in Belgium's top flight last season, but he is yet to make such an impact in Milan, contributing just a single assist in his first 10 Serie A appearances.

Pioli has made it clear he is expecting more from the Belgian, who is likely to represent his nation at the World Cup.

"De Ketelaere has the quality to make an impact in our offensive play. He has to do more, he knows that too," Pioli told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He still needs time, but the will of the boy counts. If you play in a top club, like Milan, you absolutely have to accept this competition and you have to do every day better than your teammate to convince the coach."

In further comments made to DAZN after Saturday's 4-1 win over Monza, Pioli expressed his understanding that it is still early days, adding: "Charles has only been here for a few months. I had intended to only play him for 15 minutes this evening, but we had to rush it because of that injury [to Braham Diaz].

"He has the quality, he just needs to believe in himself to really bring that potential out. He’s an intelligent lad, he knows how good he is, but it is a process and will require some time with good and not so good performances to get there."

Brahim Diaz, Divock Origi and Rafael Leao fired Milan to a 4-1 win over Serie A new boys Monza – the club run by Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani.

The off-field power-brokers at Milan for over 30 years, owner Berlusconi and CEO Galliani have succeeded in taking Monza into the Italian top flight, but this was a reminder of how far they still have to come.

Diaz scored twice in the first half to put Scudetto holders Milan in charge at the break, and former Liverpool striker Divock Origi opened his account for the club to extend their lead.

Filippo Ranocchia reduced the deficit with a spectacular strike, but Leao had the final say, with Monza unable to reprise the level of performance that earned them a shock win over Juventus last month.

Diaz waltzed through the Monza defence in the 16th minute to open the scoring, surging from halfway before skilfully directing the ball past Michele Di Gregorio when coming under a last-ditch challenge.

Monza's Dany Mota should have levelled in the 28th minute but sent his close-range flying header straight at Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Diaz doubled Milan's lead in the 41st minute when he collected a pass from Origi, stepped past defender Luca Caldirola and lashed a fierce right-footed strike across Di Gregorio and inside the left post.

Suffering with an apparent hamstring problem, Diaz was substituted early in the second half and was replaced by Charles de Ketelaere. Origi rifled the third goal in fine style in the 65th minute, lashing into the top-right corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Ranocchia pulled one back with a 30-yard free-kick in the 65th minute that Tatarusanu reached but could not keep out, before Leao swept home Milan's fourth from 15 yards in the 84th minute.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has continued to have a positive impact at Milan during his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to Stefano Pioli. 

The 41-year-old, who has scored 33 goals in 60 league appearances in his second spell with the Rossoneri, underwent surgery in May.

Ibrahimovic's career appeared to be in danger at that time, but the Sweden great declared last month: "If I see a player stronger than me, I'll stop. But I haven't seen him yet."

While the striker is not expected to feature for the Scudetto holders until 2023, Pioli says he has been a "positive" figure around the Rossoneri squad during his layoff. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Serie A meeting with Monza, Pioli said: "Zlatan, in everything he says and does, is never trivial. He is very intelligent.

"He knows how we want to play and how we prepare for matches, and he confronts me. His presence is positive.

"His recovery is still a little bit long. It will take some time to see him again on the pitch; it is nice, however, to see him here in Milanello, he is fine with the boys."

 

Milan have won seven of their first 10 games of a Serie A season as defending champions for the first time since 1992-93, when they retained the Scudetto, but they still sit three points adrift of leaders Napoli.

However, Pioli believes his side deserve to have won more points than they have, adding: "The calendar is completely different, compared to the first half of last year.

"In my opinion, we deserved to collect something more, like with Napoli [a 2-1 home loss last month], for example. Then there were some negative situations that need to be improved. Our level must always be high."

Pioli also offered an update on the condition of Mike Maignan following reports suggesting the France goalkeeper could miss the World Cup after suffering a setback in his battle against a calf injury.

"We are sorry for Mike," Pioli said. "We evaluated everything possible, he wanted to play in Verona [last Sunday], we had checked everything, but this injury will keep him out at least until January."

While the absence of Maignan would leave France lacking competition for Hugo Lloris between the sticks, French media reports have since claimed the 27-year-old could still recover in time to travel to Qatar, with Pioli's words said to be referring only to his club availability.

Angel Di Maria accepted responsibility for Juventus' shock 1-0 loss to Monza after he was sent off in the first half on Sunday.

The Argentina international saw red five minutes before half-time for an elbow into the chest of Armando Izzo as the two jostled for possession in midfield.

The 10-man Bianconeri were condemned to defeat by a 74th-minute goal from Monza substitute Christian Gytkjaer to further ramp up the pressure on head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

However, the coach was not to blame, according to Di Maria, who said the result was "all my fault".

In an Instagram post, the former Paris Saint-Germain winger said: "I want to apologise to everyone for this inappropriate reaction I had on the pitch.

"Leaving the team with one down at such a difficult time has cost us the game.

"Losing is all my fault. I am so sorry. I'm a professional but also a human being who makes mistakes and knows how to admit them."

Juventus assistant coach Marco Landucci replied "negativity does not help" when asked about Massimiliano Allegri's future after a shock 1-0 defeat away at Monza.

With under-fire Allegri serving a touchline ban, Landucci oversaw the Bianconeri, who mustered only two shots on target against a team that started the game winless and bottom of Serie A as Angel Di Maria was sent off for a petulant elbow on Armando Izzo.

Substitute Christian Gytkjaer netted a 74th-minute winner for Monza's first victory since their promotion, and defeat means Juventus have earned just 10 points from their first seven Serie A matches.

When questioned on whether he and Allegri still had the club's support, Landucci told reporters: "We don't give up, it's not in our DNA.

"I haven't talked to Allegri yet, we'll do it to understand the situation. We will certainly continue to work to correct mistakes.

"We work precisely on these things, on the goals we have scored, mistakes to try to improve. It is evident that at the moment it is not enough. Negativity does not help.

"The criticisms of the fans are there, now we have to be united. It's easy to be united in victories, we have to be even more so now."

Landucci felt Di Maria's red card was the key moment in the match, adding: "Di Maria's sending off affected us.

"Di Maria is the first to be sorry, he fell into the trap of Izzo, who is very good at this kind of thing."

Angel Di Maria saw red as struggling Juventus fell to a 1-0 defeat at Monza in Serie A, with substitute Christian Gytkjaer scoring a 74th-minute winner.

With head coach Massimiliano Allegri not on the bench through suspension, the Bianconeri put in a poor display as Di Maria was sent off for an elbow on Armando Izzo before half-time.

The visitors' sloppy performance was punished 16 minutes from time as Gytkjaer slammed home from a Patrick Ciurria’s cross.

A first league defeat of the season for Allegri’s men means they lose more ground on Serie A’s early pace-setters, adding to the scrutiny of the coach.

Monza started brightly with Nicolo Rovella, on loan from Juventus, flashing a volley wide of the left post.

Izzo missed a great chance to break the early deadlock as he headed over from a Marlon Santos cross, before Patrick Ciurria’s side-footed effort was just off the mark.

Juventus struggled to get going, with Dusan Vlahovic finally registering their first shot on target in the 28th minute with a tame attempt that was easily saved.

The Bianconeri were down to 10 men before the break, as Di Maria saw red for a petulant elbow in the chest of Izzo as the two battled for possession.

After the interval, the home side's Dany Mota should have done better when he turned a cross past the post, before Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin made a smart stop to keep out Carlos Augusto’s powerful shot.

The hosts finally got their reward when Gytkjaer smashed home from Ciurria’s deflected cross to spark wild celebrations from the home faithful.

Juventus pushed for an equaliser, but an easily saved Moise Kean header was as close as they came, making it now five games without a victory in all competitions for the Turin giants.

Juventus dismissing Massimiliano Allegri following early-season struggles would be "madness", according to Bianconeri chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene.

Allegri's side had won just two of their eight games in all competitions ahead of their Serie A trip to Monza on Sunday.

That form has led to growing pressure on coach Allegri, who has resembled a defiant figure as he insisted his side were "growing" despite domestic and European failings so far.

The 55-year-old signed a four-year contract in Turin last year, and reports in Italy suggest Juve are unlikely to part ways with Allegri at this stage.

Arrivabene echoed those sentiments as he suggested he should take some blame for the Bianconeri's underwhelming results this term.

"Changing would be madness," he told DAZN. "Today, problems must be lived and seen at 360 degrees; we have come out of difficult years that have weighed on everyone's skin, not just football. 

"The responsibility is running Juventus; carrying out summary trials or pointing at a culprit does not help a club like Juve to work.

"Max not only has a contract but a four-year programme. I have a CEO programme. If you are looking for a culprit, it's me.

"The CEO is at the top of the company; if things don't work out somehow, it's also my job to make them work.

"Looking ahead, there are three very important elements: humility, clarity, determination. We need to look ahead together."

Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri is positive about his team's prospects, despite a difficult start to the season.

Juve have won just two of their eight games in all competitions so far (D4, L2), and were beaten 2-1 at home by Benfica on Wednesday in the Champions League.

That marked the first time the Bianconeri have lost their first two games in the group stage, having lost by the same score at Paris Saint-Germain a week prior.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of their Serie A clash at Monza, Allegri said he believes his side are playing well, and just need to "pay more attention to details".

"We must not only look at the results," he said. "I believe the team is growing. We also had a good reaction physically with Benfica, but we need to pay more attention to details.

"We must be focused on the next games and through the performance, obtain the result. Then there will be a break and with confidence, we must prepare for the Champions League challenge."

Allegri has been without a number of players through injury but is sure his backroom staff are working hard to minimise the impact in a hectic season.

"The number of injuries is similar to last year, 10 against 11, but playing many more games," he said. "Then, we had more problems on the flexors, this year on the adductors... but there is no doubt about the fact that the staff inside Continassa [the club's training centre] works well."

Juve travel to Monza on Sunday, who sit bottom of the table, and Allegri will still be without several players.

"Alex Sandro, [Adrien] Rabiot, [Manuel] Locatelli will not be called up," he said. "[Wojciech] Szczesny will be available but [Mattia] Perin will play.

"[Angel] Di Maria will start, and I'll have to decide who to play in defence."

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