NorthEast United FC host table-toppers Bengaluru FC in a top of the table clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The visit of Bengaluru could prove to be the biggest test yet for Eelco Schattorie, who has enjoyed a bright start to life as the head coach of the Highlanders.

At the pre-match press conference a day prior to matchday, Schattorie shed some light on the challenge at hand, primarily owing to his team's packed schedule over the next week. "It is probably going to be similar to the Jamshedpur FC game because they are similarly organised. Both want to play football. My biggest worry is the schedule and the fatigue that can kick in. We have three games in a row – Bengaluru tomorrow, then ATK two days later and after that, Goa. So, this is going to be a very important period where we have less rest. I have to repeat that the two teams we are facing don’t have the schedule that we have. So, I think Bengaluru have an advantage," he said.

When asked on the strategy to contain Bengaluru’s prolific wide players, the Dutchman stressed the importance of closing down the spaces effectively. "Last game, I put in Provat Lakra. He is a little tougher in defending and he eliminated the left winger of Jamshepdur very well. Tomorrow will probably be the same, he will have to eliminate (the threat provided by) Sunil Chhetri. When you play any team with good wingers, you need to be tough with them. But when you are facing wingers who know how to change directions, that’s a tough thing. So, you need to work together as a team to close down the spaces," he stated.

Schattorie concluded by addressing the team’s injury concerns and also had a special plea for the NorthEast fans. "We have a few worries. They are not serious injuries, but they could be a problem. Another thing I want to talk about is for our supporters. I hope we have a bigger turnout of supporters. In the last game, we had some good numbers but I think there could be more. So, my humble request is to get more people to the stadium to support us," he concluded.

Click here to read the match preview.