Luis Diaz’s poor run of form for Bayern Munich went viral on Sunday against Elversberg.
The Colombian has been off the pace since the end of last season and has continued it into the current campaign with one goal in six matches.
Not scoring is bad enough, but selfishness is another matter.
Bayern were out of sorts against newly-promoted Elversberg and were drawing 1-1 when Diaz was sent into the box one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
The space got closed down, though, and Diaz hesitated, losing his advantage.
Harry Kane was there for a tap-in, but remarkably, Diaz attempted a backheel shot which the keeper made easy work off.
Diaz looked stunned, and Kane and the players around were furious, with the England captain making his frustrations clear.
Defender Josip Stanisic took issue and even gestured towards the bench.
Luis Diaz slammed for selfish act
Speaking on DAZN’s coverage, commentator Max Siebald said: “That fits the pattern.
“He’s leaving too many chances out there. It’s very laissez-faire. If it works, we’ll have another dream goal. If not, it looks stupid.”
Michael Ballack agreed: “Too playful. No matter what, you have to put the ball in the net. If it works, it’s fantastic. If not, it’s a careless waste.”
So high profile was the incident that sporting director Max Eberl was forced to comment in the mixed zone.
Bayern forced to defend Diaz
“As a defender who’s never scored a goal, how am I supposed to tell Lucho Diaz how to score?” he said.
“Lucho’s not in the right frame of mind right now. He’s probably thinking: Do I take it straight on or do I take it first? Then the ball’s already there.
“But like I said, we missed a few chances today. Eventually, his scoring drought will come.”
Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig then did his media rounds and also commented on Diaz.
“I have a very good impression of him,” he said. “He is always hardworking and always willing to improve and score goals.
“Therefore, for me it is only a matter of time until he scores the goals he scored last season – no matter when.
“Diaz is a player who is always dangerous. We are very happy to have him.”
Vincent Kompany then spoke about the team as a whole rather than focusing on Diaz.
“Our pace wasn’t good today,” he said. “We weren’t in the challenges like we usually are.
“We just weren’t there. In the end, though, we still saw that we’re a team.
“We weren’t as precise on the ball as we normally are. If your counter-pressing isn’t as intense as it was three days ago, then you know in football that you won’t get any gifts.
“It’s good for the lads to see this difference: if we’re not at 100 percent, then all games are difficult.”
The game was eventually won by Kane late on, with Lennart Karl scoring the opener.
The youngster was booed throughout, and after scoring shushed the crowd, something he later apologised for.
“Emotions are always part of it. If the fans misunderstood, I’m truly sorry,” he said.Kane, Diaz and Olise hit 109 goals to rank among football’s greatest trios
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