Ahead of Mohun Bagan's Indian Super League 2026-27 opener against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati, Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis and Scottish striker Lee Erwin addressed the media, discussing everything from tactical preparation to handling the pressure of expectations.
When asked about facing NorthEast United in three tournaments within a month, Head Coach said:
"Hopefully it will be a totally different game. The first game that we played there for Durand Cup, it was in Shillong. It was raining a lot. The tie gave us the opportunity to go to the extra time, and the extra time got us to the penalties process. So we could delay things. Now the other game was in the group stage also. You remember NorthEast didn't use a lot of the starters. They used some players in the end. And for us also, it was a game without national team players. Now ISL starts, it's a totally different game. There are 90 minutes that we have to win. I guess we are assuming what's going to be the formation and what's going to be the starting eleven of the opponent. So, we know the opponent somehow, maybe the opponent also knows us. We are talking about a good team with some very valuable players, and in my opinion one of the greatest coach I have ever compete, for plenty of reasons. So, our ISL starts is against a very tough, hard opponent in away game. But if we win, that's going to be a great start."
On player availability and NorthEast’s recent 7–2 defeat, he added:
"I will grab the opportunity to say that today I was thinking last year at the same moment, we had all this insecure about the ISL. So we have to be grateful and happy that ISL is happening this year, okay? And we are here, we are healthy, and we will fight. All the players are ready to fight except Rai. They're available. We will see exactly how we will use them, it depends on today and tomorrow morning session. And regarding the 7-2, I think it was... I don't think that we will... nobody will address again NorthEast with this 4-4-2 and Nestor as number eight. I have expectations that I'll find a more solid, usual team that Benali puts in the ground."
Panos said the IFA Shield helped the team prepare tactically:
"Yeah, it was very, very helpful. Basically because we managed to work on two formations. We play 3-4-3 and we play 4-2-3-1. So the players now, they adopt both of them, so we can use them in different games or during a game we can switch. Most of the players, they have playing time, and that playing time was under a lot of pressure because we want to take the Shield. So the whole process was beneficiary for us."
On the demands of Mohun Bagan and the style he wants to implement, the coach stressed:
"First of all, I would love to see in the field a team that plays something a little bit more aggressive with more intensity. It's true that because of the preparation season we are not ready to do it for a long time during one game. It will take a little bit time. My expectations from the team has to do with this - about the performance and the attitude. All the other things are depend on the culture of the team. Even if Pep Guardiola comes here, he cannot change the culture of the club. The culture of the team demands wins. We must win. There's no other result. And at the same time, I can easily understand that most or all of you want a good performance at the same time. So we have to try for this."
Lee Erwin, meanwhile, described playing for Mohun Bagan as a privilege rather than a burden:
"It's a pleasure rather than a pressure to play for such a historical club like Mohun Bagan. As a part of our job, we need to adapt to these situations, different cultures in football and different expectations. Also we meet new staff members and as part of our job, we need to adapt to different surroundings, teams, teammates, coaches and that's what we live for! That's what we enjoy doing and that's what we do every day!"
On competition for places in the forward line, he said:
"As every club, there's going to be competition, especially a club like here. There's some great quality within that squad. It's just up to us to work hard every day, and it's up to the coach also to pick the starting eleven. It doesn't mean that it's going to be the same throughout. Some players will be used differently regarding the opponent and talking about the load, etc. So it's just about being consistent, being working hard, and being called upon whenever you're asked. There's a lot of great players in the team."
When asked about the goalscoring responsibility, Erwin focused on doing his job and the squad’s collective quality:
"As far as I'm aware, Macca is back in contention now. But for me, I focus on trying to do my job, that's first and foremost, that's the only thing I can control. We have a lot of quality in the squad, there's a lot of people that can score goals. And of course, that's why I'm here, I'll try and score as much as I can, but I think there's a lot of quality in the squad that can get us those goals to win the league."
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