Timo Werner missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in Tottenham’s Europa League clash at home to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening.
The Germany international has endured a tough start to the season after re-joining Spurs on loan from RB Leipzig in the summer, failing to score in nine appearances across all competitions prior to Thursday.
Werner was given a glorious opportunity just before the half-hour mark, with talented midfielder Lucas Bergvall playing him in with a beautiful defence-splitting pass.
The former Chelsea forward had plenty of time to steady himself, but could only fire a tame shot straight at the grateful AZ goalkeeper Rome Owusu-Oduro.
Werner’s chance was assigned 0.12 xG by FotMob and although it wasn’t exactly an open goal, you’d expect a better effort from someone with almost 60 caps for Germany under his belt.
It was also enough to draw audible groans from the home crowd, who have seen this situation play out time and again in recent weeks.
Timo Werner lacking ‘confidence and conviction’
A prolific goalscorer for Spurs during his playing days — even netting 49 goals in a single season back in 1986/87 — Clive Allen knows exactly what it takes to be clinical in the 18-yard box.
Commentating for TNT Sports, the former Spurs caretaker manager took a dim view of Werner’s attempt.
“It’s a fabulous run from Werner, stays onside. Bergvall right off the outside of his right boot,” said Allen (via BBC Sport).
“Now he just composes himself, but no confidence or conviction to strike with any venom.”
Werner missed another, admittedly more difficult, opportunity 10 minutes later and with the score still level at 0-0 heading into half-time, he’ll be hoping his profligacy won’t prove too costly.
Especially as goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been called into action a couple of times by a dangerous AZ side.