Match two of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 campaign will see Robert Jarni’s NorthEast United FC clash with defending champions, Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. The Highlanders reached their first-ever Hero ISL semi-finals last season, before being stopped on their tracks by the Blues.

The match, therefore, promises to carry that extra bit of emotion and drama to it. Ahead of the tasty affair, NorthEast midfielder, Panagiotis Triadis spoke in an exclusive interview with indiansuperleague.com. Here are the excerpts:

Thoughts on your first season with NorthEast United.

It was very interesting. I think we had a successful season. For me personally, it's very different. I mean, I have been playing in Europe my whole life. So, coming to a new continent, a new country, a different philosophy in football, a different playing style took some adjustments. But yes, I wasn't (here for) so long, I was only here for six games. So, I am looking forward to starting this season and hopefully having another successful season like last season.

On a tough away start against Bengaluru FC.

I think we're ready. I mean most of the boys have been here for months now. We've been preparing hard. We've been training well. I think we're all ready. We can't wait for the season to start and at this moment we're just excited for it to start, and for the ball to get rolling so we can see what happens.

On the Northeast United head coach and his philosophies.

I've been around a lot of head coaches and he's honestly, one of the best human beings I've met. He's a very down to earth person. Very kind human being. Football-wise, he's also trying to teach us many philosophies that I've learnt in Europe and Germany as well. So, I think, like I said so many times, only time can tell.

Read the Match Preview here.