Werner's 'unsung runs' were far more than just off-ball movement; they were a masterclass in creating space and disrupting defensive structures, often without touching the ball. These weren't aimless sprints but strategically timed bursts into channels, pulling defenders out of position and creating crucial passing lanes or pockets of space for teammates. Imagine a central defender, initially focused on marking a midfielder, suddenly forced to track Werner's diagonal run towards the wing. This seemingly minor adjustment could leave a gaping hole in the center, allowing a creative midfielder to exploit the newfound space or a full-back to make an overlapping run into a less-congested area. Werner's genius lay in understanding how his movement, even without possession, directly influenced the opponent's defensive shape, making these runs game-changing catalysts for attacking opportunities.

The real impact of these runs becomes evident when analyzing the subsequent actions of his teammates. Often, Werner's decoy runs didn't result in him receiving the ball directly, but rather in a teammate having more time and space to execute a pass, shot, or dribble. Consider instances where a central defender would be dragged wide by Werner, opening up the 'half-space' for an onrushing midfielder to receive a through ball and have a direct sight at goal. Alternatively, his runs might create a momentary numerical advantage in another area of the pitch, allowing for quick one-twos or intricate passing sequences that would otherwise be impossible against a tightly packed defense. These 'unsung runs' were the invisible threads weaving together successful attacking patterns, facilitating goals and assists that, on the stat sheet, might attribute all credit elsewhere, but were fundamentally initiated by Werner's intelligent and selfless movement.