Manuel Pellegrini preaches focus as crucial week awaits Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini tends to keep Manchester City’s focus on their quest for points as they make the away trip to face Southampton on Sunday.

The Premier League clash at St Mary’s comes between the two legs of City’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, which is up for grabs after Tuesday’s goalless affair at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini wants to see the same level of commitment that saw his side win their league games ahead of both quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain and then thrash Stoke last weekend.

City’s gaffer said: “It was difficult when we played Paris Saint-Germain with Bournemouth and West Brom, and when we played last Saturday before Real Madrid, but we have two different competitions.

“I always say if you want to be involved in all the competitions you have to have a strong squad, not just in the team with 11 players.

“I think it is very important to have an ambitious and winning mind. That is why we always demand the best performance of all our players.

“In this moment we want to win the last three games of the Premier League and are involved in the semi-finals of the Champions League. I trust all of them and we will see which is the best starting XI for Sunday.

“We want to be as near to the top of the table as we can and it is very important for this club to continue (being) in the Champions League.”

City are without playmaker David Silva, who suffered a hamstring in the first leg against Real and will also miss the game in Spain. Yaya Toure also remains on the sidelines with a thigh injury but is pushing to be involved at the spanish capital.