A Poor Day for Pisczcek at the Office

Would you look at that!? The Bundesliga's record breaking runner up actually has a player starting at the Euros this year. Who would've thought.

Unfortunately, Lukasz Pisczcek did not carry that distinction very well on Wednesday afternoon in a warm-up friendly against the Netherlands. He was subbed out after the first half along with on-loan, Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski.

For most of the first half Pisczcek's positioning left a lot to question. On more than a couple occasions he was found further up field than Kuba and not on the overlap either. Predictably, he was beat over the top with regularity. Promising young Dutchman Quincy Promes often found himself behind the Dortmund man cutting inside towards goal.

This led to the Netherland's first clear goal scoring opportunity when Promes assisted a Vincent Janssen shot that missed by inches. The first Dutch goal was a result of a breakaway down the Polish right flank with Lukasz too far upfield. Pisczcek certainly didn't carry over his sparkling defensive form from the second half of Dortmund's season.

Nevertheless, his aggressive positioning led to a few dangerous balls that have long been a strength of his. In the 17th minute, he made a charging, Klopp-era run before cutting back a pass that Lewandowski could have finished. Pisczcek also hit an inch perfect 30 yard ball to Kuba in the 27th minute that didn't amount to anything.

Overall, it was probably for the better the former Hertha man played only one half. Promes' continued runs down the right could have made the scoreline a lot worse than the 2-1 final score.

Looking forward, though this wasn't his best performance in a Poland shirt, Lukasz Pisczcek will certainly be starting at right back throughout the Euros and will be critical in determining how far the White Eagles advance. Here's to hoping BVB's sole starter at Euro 2016 will show the quality associated with Die Schwarzgelben in France.