ISL 2019-20: NorthEast United 0-2 Bengaluru FC | 5 Talking Points 

#5 Welcome back, Federico Gallego!

Federico Gallego made his first competitive appearance in more than nine months

Nine months and a week on since he was stretchered off and packed into an ambulance at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, NorthEast United's Uruguayan star Federico Gallego finally made his comeback to first-team action, as he came on to replace Jose David Leudo to help his team equalise.

The Uruguayan looked sharp, and the touch - that silken caress of the football - has not deserted him. He could've even won a penalty for his side, if he was not caught just a bit offside. He took a ball over the top in his stride, only to get flattened by Nishu, but he had begun his run a little too early.

NorthEast will be relieved to have their talisman back for a period that promises to be a season-defining one for the Highlanders. They still have work to do, if they are to make the top 4, and having the creativity of Gallego to compliment the likes of Gyan and Chaves could prove critical, in their eventual push to make the playoffs for a second successive year.