9z player Luciano "luchov" Herrera, who remains one of the top contenders for Rookie of the Year, commented on his form and the team's results at the tournament in Katowice. After a slump in the second half of the season (his rating dropped to 0.95 since August), the aggressive rifler made a strong statement in the match against TYLOO on Mirage, where his individual rating surpassed the 2.00 mark.
The first seven months of 2026 were a breakthrough for luchov: he earned two EVP awards at PGL Astana and XSE Pro League, maintaining an average rating of 1.20. However, after the summer break, 9z faced a series of setbacks and early group stage exits. According to the esports athlete, the main reason for the team's decline was the loss of individual form during the vacation, as well as the fact that opponents began to study their tactics more thoroughly.
The Argentine openly stated that his aggressive playstyle critically depends on confidence and overall synergy within the roster. When the team is disconnected, he makes bad decisions more often and plays too anxiously. Currently, luchov is working on adapting and learning to bring impact to the team even in those moments when he lacks self-confidence.
After two played matches in Katowice, 9z hold a 1-1 record. The team's main goal for the current event is to overcome this stage and reach the playoffs at the iconic Spodek arena. luchov emphasized that the success against TYLOO brought back the team's feel for the game, but to make it to the stage, they need to improve their coordination on the server even further.
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