Italy's Simone Zaza apologises for woeful penalty in Germany defeat - 'I will live with it for a lifetime'

Zaza was brought on specifically to take a spot-kick but ballooned his effort over the bar after a ridiculous run-up 

Simone Zaza has apologised to Italy fans after his shocking penalty miss in the Euro 2016 quarter-final defeat to Germany.

Zaza was left red-faced after his woeful spot-kick during the shootout defeat on Saturday night.

He put on a ridiculously over the top run-up before scooping his penalty high and wide, having being brought on towards the end of extra time specifically to take a spot-kick.

The move backfired in spectacular fashion for the Azzurri though, and the 25-year-old took to his Instagram account to post a lengthy apology.

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Zaza fires his penalty hopelessly over the top

Laurence Griffiths

Italy's players show their dejection at full-time

A picture of the whole 23-man Italy squad was uploaded alongside an apology to the Italian supporters.

“I want to say that I am first a supporter of this national team so I am disappointed, sad and angry with myself," he said.

“What has happened I will live for a lifetime, it was the target of the team and mine and I failed.”

The Juventus man was the first Italian to miss in the shootout, with Graziano Pelle also putting his penalty hopelessly wide before Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian saw their spot kicks saved by German keeper Manuel Neuer.

 

Bonucci had earlier scored from the spot in normal time to cancel out Mesut Ozil's opener.

But after Italy's woeful penalty taking, Germany now go on to face hosts France in a blockbuster semi final.

After signing for Juventus last summer Zaza endured a difficult first season in Turin, making only 19 league appearances and netting just five goals as he struggled to displace Paolo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic.

CREDIT TO:http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/italys-simone-zaza-apologises-woeful-8348730