Chennaiyin FC lock horns with Mumbai City FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. The 2015 champions are unbeaten in their last four fixtures and will want to enter the semi-finals with a winning momentum. The host’s Spanish midfielder Jaime Gavilan has played nine matches for Chennaiyin this season and also has an assist to his name. The 32-year-old spoke to indiansuperleague.com prior to the match and shared his thoughts on his team and more. Here are the excerpts.

How important was it for Chennaiyin to make it to the semi-final?

It is very important for this club because we have won the Hero ISL once and we want to repeat that feat. We have done a very good job and we want to continue with that and become the champions.

How crucial is the match against Mumbai City FC?

I think it is very important because then we will finish second and play the first game away. We want to play the second game at home and for that, we have to beat Mumbai.

There was a slight dip in form for your team, but how did you recover to get here?

This league is very difficult and strong. All the teams want to win and play for something. We started strongly this season, winning important games. It got a bit difficult in the middle. But now, we are in the top four and I think we deserve this.

How important is it for Jeje Lalpekhlua to get back on the score sheet?

Whether Jeje scores or someone else scores, it is the same. But I think when he scores, Chennaiyin have more chances to win and I want him to continue scoring.

Which youngster has impressed you the most in the league?

I think Jerry Lalrinzuala plays very good. There are many good players in this league and the Indian players have improved a lot. I am sure that in the future we will see a lot of good players from this country.