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Italy forwards Graziano Pellè and
Simone Zaza have both apologised after their missed penalties
contributed to Italy losing Saturday's Euro 2016 quarter-final
shootout against Germany.
Both players have been mocked online for their behaviour
before their penalties.
Juventus forward Zaza ran on the spot for a spell in the
forlorn hope of seeing which way Germany keeper Manuel Neuer
would go before blasting his effort high.
The move has been nicknamed the Zaza dance.
"I missed the most important penalty of my career and
I'll carry that inside me all my life," Zaza said.
"I'm sorry I disappointed the Italian people".
Southampton's Pellè made a looping gesture with his hand
at Neuer, suggesting he would try the so-called cucchiaio (spoon
chip) before hooking his shot wide.
"I don't care that I had a good tournament. I'm sad and I
apologise to the Italian people," Pellè said.
"If I'd scored it would have been incredible but that's
not how it went. I'm sorry for everyone.
"Don't say I tried to provoke Neuer, he didn't even
realise.
"I just wanted to force him to stay still. It felt right
but unfortunately..."
Defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian also failed
to put away their shoot-out penalties.
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