Edouard Mendy was devastated when Chelsea lost Sunday's EFL Cup final on penalties.
The Senegalese goalkeeper started against Liverpool and produced a fine display - including a stunning first-half double save to deny Naby Keita and compatriot Sadio Mane.
But he was replaced by his understudy Kepa Arrizabalaga moments before the penalty shootout, with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel bringing on the Spaniard in the belief that he would give his team a better chance on penalties.
The German made the same substitution for the UEFA Super Cup final in August, with Chelsea winning the shootout and Kepa saving twice.
Yet he didn't replicate that success at Wembley on Sunday, failing to stop a single penalty before blazing his own effort high over the bar to hand Liverpool victory.
Did Thomas Tuchel make the right decision bringing Kepa Arrizabalaga on? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking on from the sides, Mendy had his head in his hands, knowing he was powerless to stop Chelsea slipping to a marginal defeat.
And after Kepa blazed high over the bar and into the stand of Liverpool supporters behind the goal, the Senegalese stopper could only hide his head in his shirt, such was his devastation at his side's final loss.
Earlier this month, Mendy saved a penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final shootout against Egypt to hand Senegal their maiden continental title.
"I take the decisions when I take the decisions, I only take them when I want to take them," said Tuchel when asked about his decision. "I cannot rejudge my decisions when I know the outcome. This is how it is.
"No blame on him. Blame on me. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it does not work out. This is life as a football coach who does substitutions.
"Sometimes you bring a player on and he scores. Sometimes he makes a decisive mistake. No regrets. If it is necessary to take the blame absolutely it is on me.
"I feel bad for him. But no blame. We took the decision, like we did last time in a shootout because Kepa is training with the outfield players on a daily basis at penalties.
"They know how good he is. He has more time than Edou to do this. Everyone knows how good he is. This plays a part in how well we shot today.
"Unfortunately he could not save any, It was a bit harsh on him to miss the one and only penalty. But there is no blame. The penalties were brilliant."
Some have criticised Tuchel for making the call, including Jamie Redknapp.
"I don't like it, it is a rubbish idea," said the former Liverpool captain. "I think it is a case of being too clever for your own good. It just complicated it.
"How could anyone say they wouldn't have won it if Mendy was in goal? It's rubbish, it's nonsense - he didn't even get near to a penalty.
"Mendy's one of the world's best goalkeepers, and then you bring on Kepa instead, ridiculous."
Manchester United legend Gary Neville added: "I don't like it. It's not the time to analyse that, it could've paid off. They obviously know Kepa's got an excellent penalty-saving record, but I still don't understand it.
"Mendy's been outstanding and made saves all the way through the game, he's got the atmosphere, the feeling, he's warmed up."
On the other hand, Jamie Carragher appreciated Tuchel's reasoning.
"There is method in it," claimed the Anfield icon. "We shouldn't forget that this was the decision Thomas Tuchel made in the Super Cup when Kepa came on and Chelsea won."
