Eder Monteiro will be looking to make his second start of Hero Indian Super League 2016 when Chennaiyin FC host Atlético de Kolkata at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. The 33-year-old centre-back completed the full 90 minutes in his only appearance this season against FC Pune City in their last game. Monteiro helped the Super Machans secure maximum points and a clean sheet, completing two blocks, 12 clearances and registering an impressive passing accuracy of 90%. Speaking exclusively to indiansuperleague.com ahead of their second clash against ATK this season, the Brazilian defender shared his thoughts. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

You are playing a strong ATK side tomorrow. What kind of game are you expecting?

It will be a tough game for us. It is mostly because of the difference in points. Both want to get into the top 4. We need to focus on our game the entire 90 minutes. As we have seen last night [Pune vs Delhi], how the games can change. We need to be alert to everything. I’m expecting a tough game and hoping to win the match.

There is fierce competition for places at Chennaiyin this season. What do you have to say about that?

This is good for Marco. The players that play in the XI, he knows they are the best in the team [at that point]. It is good for the team. The players want to play and they give their 100% to be in the first XI and help the team to get better.

How has it been playing under Marco Materazzi and alongside John Arne Riise and Bernard Mendy?

I think all of them are players with big careers in football. Marco is a coach now, but if you listen to the stories of him as a player, it’s beautiful. Anyone can improve because of the personality that they have both on and off the pitch. So I believe it’s a great opportunity for me and other players in the team.

You have been here for two seasons now. Among the Indian talent who has impressed you the most?

The generation is different. You can see players with more experience now. You have got Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua who are experienced. Sandesh Jhingan from Kerala Blasters, I like him. He is a strong guy. These three, for me, are the most impressive Indian players.