Mauricio's five-point preview - City

We'll cover Mauricio Pochettino's match previews in five points this season - next up, champions Manchester City away in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm).

1 - This week

How has this week gone in training and how is Giovani Lo Celso getting on?
Mauricio: “The week has been fantastic. We’ve trained so hard, we’re focussed and trying to translate all that good feeling into the game. The competition is most important. Of course, it’s an exciting game against one of the best teams in Europe. It’s always exciting to face Manchester City.

“It’s too early to judge Giovani. Now it’s time for him to adapt to a new club, new team-mates. A lot of things are happening in his life now, a lot of changes and we will give him time to settle and start to perform and fight for a place in a fair way.”

2 - Manchester City

What do you make of City?
Mauricio: “They are so impressive, a solid team, well-organised with a lot of quality. In the last few years they have showed their quality and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us at the Etihad. It’s tough - for both sides - and we’ll give our best and try to get a good result.”

3- An early test

How important is a game like this at such an early stage of the season?
Mauricio: “It’s too early to start to talk about targets but we know very well it’s always important when you face a team like Manchester City to try to beat them. We’re talking about three points like it was against Aston Villa and like it will be against Newcastle next week, but the most important thing is the feeling. We are in a period where we are building our best form but it’s important to have the mentality to go there and try to win.”

4 - Keys to a positive result

Without giving too much away tactically, what are the key factors to going to the Etihad and getting a positive result?
Mauricio: “It’s always about quality and we need to show our best quality if we want to beat a team like Manchester City. You need to be at your best collectively and individually. You know very well that you face a team that is so talented. But every single game is completely different. Last season was last season, now it’s a new season and we need to build our own momentum and our way to arrive at the end of the season in the best condition to try to fight for big things. That is our focus now.”

5 - Facing Pep

Your rivalry with City boss Pep Guardiola goes back a long way now – how do you feel about facing him again?
Mauricio: “I always look forward to it, yes, it’s good to face him. That means we are in the race. It’s always a pleasure to face someone who, for me, is the best coach in the world.”