The fact that the outgoing Azzurri manager Antonio Conte threw on Zaza specifically to take a spot kick, has added to the amusement off the back of a horrible run-up and then the effort on Manuel Neuer’s goal.
In the ensuing days, Zaza has already been forced to address the penalty on landing back in Italy, and you the Juventus forward could become synonymous with his woeful spot kick.
Still clearly hurting from the crucial penalty miss, Zaza wrote a lengthy apology on Instagram on Monday.
Like many of the comments coming from the Italy camp in recent days, Zaza has spoken of his pride in the group and how the nation united around the Azzurri side in France.
To illustrate this point, Zaza’s picture on Instagram is of the whole Italy squad.
"In addition to apologizing I say that I’m sorry to have disappointed all the people who have lived, believed and rejoiced and in the end suffered for this team / group.
I assume my responsibilities as I always have and I go forward aware that this group has made proud Italians .. This is TRUE.
Those who have always supported regardless of the team’s values.
Those that before each game trying to “spy” and look into our eyes to understand that we were only 23, but an entire people …..
I would like to thank all the people who supported me after this incident and I really want this to be understood.
And above all I want to say that I am first a supporter of this national team so in addition to being disappointed, sad and angry with myself, I am proud to have seen awakened a different nation from all others.
What has happened I will live for a lifetime.
It was the highlight of the team and mine.
And I failed.
Maybe in a few years they will remember the episodes and not of those 23 who gave their soul into every workout to win every game
But is football and it is so.
Sorry again."
-101greatgoals
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