‘Near impossible’ to beat PSG
Metz boss Philippe Hinschberger has told Celtic it will be mission impossible against PSG on Tuesday night. The 57-year-old doesn’t believe Brendan Rodgers and his players will find a way to combat the brilliance of the world’s most expensive forward line. Hinschberger held his hands up after his side suffered a 5-1 hammering by the French champs. He insists there’s no template in football to cope with an overloaded strike force of Neymar, Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Julian Draxler. He said: “Everybody is trying to find a way to beat PSG but it’s almost impossible. “You try to be compact around the ball but that gives space to players. It’s complicated. “PSG have some remarkable players. If there is not Neymar, there is Kylian Mbappe.
“If there is not Edinson Cavani, there is Julian Draxler or other players. “It does not change anything. “PSG can make the difference at any time with their individual qualities, their collective play and defensive transitions.”
Hinschberger was made to suffer inside the Stade Saint-Symphorien as PSG went to town with four goals in the final half hour of Friday’s clash.
He believes PSG are blessed with a work ethic that matches their star-studded quality.
He said: “We talk about the talent of Neymar or Cavani.
“But you can forget to watch that when PSG lose the ball – their opponents in general do not manage to make more than two or three passes.
“This is an enormous quality and one which the big teams possess.
“I do not believe that it is the coach of the PSG who teaches Neymar how to play.
“On the other hand, the fact that his team are also performing well in defensive transitions is the mark of the coach.”
By their own admission, PSG weren’t firing on all six cylinders against Metz.
Hinschberger was far from happy over a red card for former Spurs man Benoit Assou-Ekotto and claimed Mbappe made the most of being the victim of a robust challenge.
He said: “I did not have the impression that Mbappe had a broken leg. I am disappointed with the referee’s behaviour.
“The red card is not justified, he touches the ball. We feel the referee ruined our week .”
Metz defender Moussa Niakhate was also handing out superlatives after coming up against a galaxy of stars who could sweep up the silverware.
He said: “PSG are the best French team of the last five years. We confronted future Ballon d’Or winners. It’s a beautiful team.”