Defending champions Chennaiyin FC have suffered a poor start to the 2018-19 season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) collecting only a single point from their first four games. John Gregory’s side will have to find solutions to their problems quick if they hope to pose a successful title defence. The South Indian outfit will next face two-time champions ATK on Friday in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.

Francisco Fernandes spoke exclusively to indiansuperleague.com on the team mentality and the quality of the opponents ahead of the big clash. Here are the excerpts:

On Chennaiyin FC’s tough start and the morale in the camp.

The start hasn’t been good for us this season, but the morale is there. We are working hard every day in practice. All the players are giving their best, and according to me last match also we fought very hard, we didn’t concede any goal, but we missed a lot of chances. The team is getting there.

On Chennaiyin FC’s confidence after the last match against Delhi Dynamos FC.

Yeah, just like I said we are working hard every day in practice. The team spirit is good, and the players are doing what the coach wants and we have given our best in the last match. We should have won it, but the Delhi’s goalkeeper made a lot of good saves from our strikers and midfielders. We are getting there, and the confidence is very high in the team now.

How pleased are you with your performance so far?

I’m pleased with my performance, but I want to work hard more for the team, so we can win some matches and qualify for the semi-finals.

On the match against ATK.

In the last match, we didn’t concede a goal, but we also didn’t score a goal. We got a clean sheet. The goalkeeper made good saves. Everyone did their role and the confidence is there. So, with that confidence, we go into the match. We have been practising well, so, we will give our best.

On two matches in four days.

It is challenging for us. Not only today but before that also we played on 18th, travelling is also there. It is for all teams but for us now it’s very tiring, but we have to get over it, the challenge is there, we have to get over it and we should give our best. We should not give any excuses about the draw and we have to give our best.