ITALY’S Euro 2016 shoot-out villain, Simone Zaza, has admitted: “I always take penalties like that.”
The Juventus striker has come in for some fierce criticism after he blazed his spot-kick over the bar following a bizarre run up routine, having only been brought on in stoppage time of Extra Time.
Zaza has become an internet sensation with Twitter users mocking him in hilarious memes, as his failure is compared a tap dancer and raging bull.
However, the 25-year-old — who is a target for Swansea and West Ham — apologised to Italy fans but insists he has no regrets, and even reminds everyone he wrong-footed Germany goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, as he was mobbed by adoring supporters as the players returned to Italy.
Speaking through the tears, he said: “I am sorry to have let the Italian people down. I missed the most important penalty of my life and I will carry this burden with me forever.
“I have always taken penalties like that and I was convinced I would score, I had sent him [Neuer] the wrong way but the ball set off and it went like that.”
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Zaza praised his team-mates for their performances at Euro 2016 and hoped his penalty miss wouldn’t overshadow their achievements.
He added: “It is hard and I will try to get over it but I want the Italian people to know what we have done.
“It’s not right that one bad miss cancels out everything we have given with all our hearts.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. I am sad because were doing something extraordinary.”
Around 300 fans greeted the Italian players at Milan’s Malpensa airport as the Azzurri captured people’s hearts with their performances in France.
And Zaza revealed he wasn’t surprised by the loyal support as they understand the players’ hard work.
He said: “The Italian people are happy anyway because, perhaps, they have understood that we gave it our all.
“In the end, I expected this.”
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