Breaking up the former coach's system in a foolhardy attempt to emulate the old days of possession football, despite not having the players to carry it out, has created a mess.
When UEFA decided to expand Euro 2016 to 24 teams, they had been looking to lend a hand to the continent’s smaller nations in reaching the competition. It was supposed, too, that it would be made even easier for the traditional powerhouses to progress.
The European body needs to have the top sides competing in its biggest international tournament, of course, but it was not counting on one of its most prolific teams undermining its own chances by adopting a completely self-destructive strategy before the qualifying stages had even begun.