It’s mission impossible

Metz boss warns Rodgers: There’s no way to halt the PSG dream team

METZ boss Philippe Hinschberger has warned Celtic they will face a mission impossible trying to beat Paris Saint-Germain.

The French billionaires take on Brendan Rodgers’ side in Glasgow on Tuesday in the opening clash in the Champions League fresh from their 5-1 demolition of Metz in Ligue 1 on Friday night.

Hinschberger’s side competed well, but were eventually blown away by the £450million PSG attack of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani.

The Metz boss 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 then that gives space to players. It’s complicated. These are remarkable players.

‘If there is not Neymar, there is Kylian Mbappe. If there is no 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.

‘Everyone talks about the talent of Neymar or Cavani, but you can forget to watch that when PSG lose the ball, the opponent in general does not make more than two or three passes.

‘This is an enormous quality and one which only the big teams possess.’

Draxler has warned Celtic PSG are set to lob £364m ‘grenades’ at them for their Champions League showdown at Parkhead.

With £198m Neymar and £166m Mbappe playing together for the first time, PSG ran amok and Draxler is convinced the French giants can continue their hot streak against the Hoops on Tuesday.

He said: ‘We certainly got two grenades this summer.

‘We have signed Neymar, one of the best players in the world, and with Mbappe we have one of the greatest talents in the world.

‘I am proud to be part of this attacking superteam of PSG and I will do my best to get into the team. It will not be easy for me to play every week, but I am confident enough to believe in my own ability. We have a big squad but there are a lot of games. We hope to go far in the Champions League.’

Draxler’s own future was under threat in the latest transfer window with doubts being raised about how he could fit into the team. But he insisted he could never quit such a star-studded line-up.

He said: ‘For me, it was clear that I did not want to leave. I got the signals from coach Unai Emery that he was planning with me and was very happy with me in my first season.

‘I know it will be difficult to stay in the team, but we are a great team and I want to be a part of it.’