Zaza apologises for bodged penalty

Simone Zaza has followed Graziano Pelle in issuing an apology to Italy supporters for his embarrassing penalty miss against Germany on Saturday.

The Juventus forward could've put his country 2-1 up on spot kicks and edge it closer to Euro 2016's semi-finals, but he instead proceeded to jig his way into a peculiar run-up before blasting harmlessly over:

Like Pelle, Zaza expressed regret for what appeared to be an overconfident take from 12 yards, and stressed that, as a fan, he takes his position in the Italian national team very seriously. His apology was posted on Instagram.

Oltre a chiedere scusa, aggiungo che mi dispiace aver deluso tutte le persone che hanno vissuto, gioito, creduto e alla fine sofferto per questa Squadra. Io mi assumo le mie responsabilità come ho sempre fatto, e vado avanti, consapevole che questo gruppo ha reso fieri gli italiani...quelli VERI. Quelli che hanno sempre tifato per Noi, indipendentemente dal valore della squadra. Quelli che prima di ogni partita cercavo di "spiare" e guardare negli occhi, per capire che non eravamo solo 23 in campo, ma un popolo intero..... Mi sento di ringraziare tutte le persone che mi hanno sostenuto dopo questo episodio, coscienti che la mia non era presunzione, e ci tengo a sottolinearlo questo. E soprattutto voglio dire che sono anche io un tifoso di questa nazionale, perciò oltre ad essere deluso, triste e incazzato con me stesso, sono anche orgoglioso di aver visto risvegliata una nazione differente da tutte le altre. Ciò che è successo me lo porterò dentro per tutta la vita. Era il momento più importante della squadra, anche ovviamente mio. Ed io l'ho fallito. Forse tra qualche anno si ricorderanno solo alcuni episodi e non di quei 23 che hanno dato l'anima in ogni allenamento per essere pronti partita dopo partita. Ma questo è il calcio, ed è così. Scusate ancora.

A photo posted by Simone Zaza (@simonezaza) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:50am PDT

It reads, with translation from Football Italia:

As well as apologising, I'd like to add that I'm sorry I disappointed all the people who lived, rejoiced, believed in, and ultimately suffered for this team.

I take my responsibilities, as I've always done, and I go on, knowing that this group made Italians proud - the real Italians, that is, those who always supported us, regardless of the value of the team.

I tried to spot them before the match and look them in the eyes, so I'd know we were not just 23 players but a people.

I feel that I should thank all the people who backed me after this episode, as they know that mine was not arrogance. This is something that I can't stress enough.

And above all else I want to say that I too am a supporter of the national team, so in spite of being disappointed, sad, and angry with myself, I'm also proud to have witnessed the resurgence of a nation that is different from all the others.

What happened will stay with me for my entire life. It was the team's most important moment, and of course my own. And I failed it.

Perhaps a few years from now people will only remember the episodes, and not those 23 who gave their whole soul in training so they could be ready for every game.

But we're playing football, and that's how it is. Once again sorry.

Zaza joined Juventus from U.S. Sassuolo Calcio for a fee of around €18 million last summer, and mustered five goals over 19 appearances in the Old Lady's victorious Serie A campaign.

Zaza apologises for bodged penalty

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