Poland manager Michal Probierz is not afraid to speak his mind and domestically, he is actually a reliable source of good talking points.

He’s mellowed a bit apparently, but is still capable of the odd broadside. When he was first appointed, he addressed his promotion being unexpected in his first press conference, rejecting out of hand the accusation that he was simply profiting from personal relationships.

It’s not often that coaches talk openly about cronyism. It’s not too common for the Polish national team coach to criticise Barcelona, either. Probierz did that too, taking issue with Xavi’s handling of Lewandowski, accusing Barca’s players of “not helping” their star centre-forward and of being in a “disastrous” state.

Bold but not wholly unfair. Do not expect many straight bats or platitudes from him in Germany, either.