Torino coach Giampiero Ventura has refused to point the finger at his goalkeeper Daniele Padelli for the mistake that could cost the club a place in Europe next season.
Padelli's embarrassing own goal gifted Empoli a 1-0 win in Turin on Wednesday afternoon, leaving Ventura's men three points behind sixth-placed Sampdoria with four games of the season remaining.
The result ensured Lazio were guaranteed their place in Europe next season, leaving six clubs now fighting for the remaining three spots.
The mistake had echoes of the penalty miss by Alessio Cerci in the final seconds of last season that would have cost the Granata a place in this season's Europa League, had Parma not been refused a licence by UEFA.
Now, as then, Ventura is refusing to make his player the scapegoat, and backed Padelli to bounce back.
"I don't think I've ever seen a misfortune like it, but there can be no doubt that it influenced the game," Ventura told Sky Sport Italia in quotes reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"You could say that a mistake like that would kill a bull -- and that's a perfect expression for us [Torino's nickname is 'The Bull'] -- but only those who don't play cannot make mistakes and I'm sorry for Padelli because he's done a good job up to now.
"He's bounced back before and he will do again. It's just a pity that we've wasted a chance to move up to sixth, but we accept the result."
Torino's trip to Genoa on Monday evening may now prove decisive, with both clubs still in the race for a place in Europe next term.
"We've got four cup finals to come -- two at home with Chievo and Cesena and two away at Genoa and AC Milan," Ventura added. "Our trip to Liguria could be the key moment of the final dash."