With Mbappé required to play a starring role once again when PSG defend their 3-2 advantage over Bayern Munich in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, the France international was expected to feature for barely an hour in Alsace.

However, even though his side were 3-0 up at half-time — with Mbappé having opened the scoring and set up Moise Kean for the third — Pochettino left his potential matchwinner on the Stade de la Meinau pitch until two minutes before the end of the game.

"I am not all-knowing, but for him, the best preparation is to play," said Pochettino, whose side moved back to within three points of league leaders Lille.

"He's an intelligent boy, very mature in the way he thinks about his job. He knows how to approach this kind of game. Our medical staff give us a huge amount of information. That enables us to analyse precisely just what sort of shape the players are in. We don't take risks with him. Nor with any other player. We always make decisions based on that.

"Our choices are coordinated with the other departments at PSG. That enables us to take the best decision, especially in relation to what we see during games. Kylian is the first to want to play. He's a world champion, one of the best French players in the Champions League. A striker of great class.

"I like his attitude. He's determined to play in every competition. That proves his commitment to the team, regardless of what it is or the game. You have to give credit to that attitude, to his professional commitment to the whole of French football. He's an excellent player, but above all a great and very humble guy."

>> MATCH REPORT: Mbappé and PSG keep the pressure up on Lille