Delhi Dynamos FC begin their 2016 Hero Indian Super League season against reigning champions Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. The Dynamos have an edge over the Super Machans having won two out of their four meetings so far. However, the Lions have never managed to beat the defending champions in Chennai, drawing 2-2 in Hero ISL 2014 and losing 4-0 in Hero ISL 2015. Ghanaian forward Richard Gadze, who scored four times and provided two assists for Delhi last season, will be looking to buck that trend on Thursday. He spoke to indiansuperleague.com ahead of his side’s season opener and shared his thoughts on the game. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

You are back for your second stint with Delhi Dynamo FC this season, what’s your main objective this ISL?

I am happy to be back for the third ISL and it’s a great honour for me. I think last year we did quite well and got to the semi-finals. Our main objective this year is to move to the final.

So you’ve worked with two of the greatest defenders that we know, last year Roberto Carlos and now Gianluca Zambrotta. How different are they as coaches?

I think they are of the same calibre. What I see in the coach [Zambrotta] now is that he is trying to strategize our play with defenders in mind. So I think we are going to work on our defence more than last season in order to concede fewer goals.

Last season you developed a good partnership with Robin Singh, is there a player this year that we need to watch out for?

Last season, most of my goals were assisted by Florent Malouda. Malouda is back in the team and I’ve got a great partnership with him.

Last season John Arne Riise and Hans Mulder were with Delhi and tomorrow you will be facing them. What are your thoughts?

I’ve played with them so I know their weakness and strength. So I will strategize my game accordingly and take advantage of that.