If you were asked to name Borussia Dortmund's key player this season, who springs to mind first? Christian Pulisic, Marco Reus, or perhaps even Sokratis might make the list - but Lukasz Piszczek?
As unlikely as it may seem, the Polish right-back has been more influential than you might think. BVB's season so far can be divided into three distinctive parts: a seven-game unbeaten start under Peter Bosz, eight subsequent games without a win that led to the Dutchman's departure and then the arrival of Peter Stöger and an eight-match unbeaten streak since.
A closer analysis of those three periods delivers a revealing truth bearing the name of a certain defender: Piszczek.
Watch: Piszczek's top 5 Bundesliga goals
The 32-year-old played each one of those opening seven games – a period in which Dortmund conceded just twice - before tearing ligaments in his knee. While he was sidelined, Dortmund simply could not win, and he never got to play for Bosz again.
Since Piszczek has returned, however, Dortmund have not been beaten. All in all, Piszczek's record this season reads 13 appearances, nine wins, four draws and zero defeats. He is BVB's points' guarantee.
"We're missing them like a fish misses water," said Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke of the combined absence of Piszczek and Reus in December. And while Reus' recent comeback from injury was greeted with a great deal more fanfare than Piszczek's, the latter's influence should not be overlooked – even if the player himself may not agree entirely.
2ï¸âƒ£5ï¸âƒ£0ï¸âƒ£ #Bundesliga games under his belt