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.
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.