Mauricio Pochettino: 'The team fights to the end'

MONTPELLIER, then CITY

"The most important thing is the match against Montpellier. We want to win, keep progressing and improving certain aspects. We are all focussed on this game. We have to win to keep our positive run going. We know there are things to improve. Montpellier have lost Delort and Laborde, two of the most important players in their squad, who scored a lot of goals. The coach has also changed and other players have established themselves. They're a team with quality, one that's dangerous in transitions, but not only then. They build play well, have quality players and a very good level of play."

LAST-MINUTE WINS

"You can look at things in different ways when you win two matches in the last seconds. It means the team fights to the end to get the win and has great mental strength. As a coach, you'd like the game to be decided beforehand. But we're happy with the team. We're starting games well. We're lacking a little determination to make the difference and score a second or third goal. I don't think it's a physical problem. It's more about being consistent across the 90 minutes."

LIONEL MESSI

"Leo started running again on Friday. We hope that things will keep progressing as planned, and we'll look at it again on Sunday. Could he play against Manchester City? Yes, we hope so, but we have to be cautious. We'll see how he progresses in the coming days. Mauro Icardi? He has given us a lot since coming back from his shoulder injury. He's progressing slowly, scored against Lyon, and showed how important he is against OL and Metz."

ANDER HERRERA

"Ander had a full pre-season with us. He's a 'crack', a top player, with a lot of humility. He's extremely professional, always at the service of the team. He always trains at 100% whether he's playing or not. He's that sort of player every coach loves to have. He gives his all. He can score too, and that's important."