Team Vitality's head coach XTQZZZ shared details about the team's current transitional period, overcoming a tough start at the tournament in Porto, and upcoming changes due to the temporary absence of apEX.
According to the coach, the squad had a rough start, but the BLAST match schedule allowed them to analyze their mistakes and regroup. The team had only 3-4 practice sessions with stand-in Justinas (jL), so he was integrated into existing positions without significant changes to tactics or utility. XTQZZZ noted jL's strong social dynamic, his energy, and his desire to give it his all. Thanks to the team's support, particularly from apEX, the newcomer was able to adapt and show a confident performance.
Vitality's primary goal was reaching the playoffs to earn VRS points and create a comfortable environment for jL. Now, the team's focus has shifted to winning the tournament and fighting their own inconsistency. Currently, the squad is facing a problem of extremes—playing either very well or very poorly. The coach emphasizes that in the MR12 system, there is always a chance for a comeback if you maintain mental resilience and never give up, as seen in successful matches against NAVI or Legacy. The main difficulty right now lies in the ability to reset in time and give full effort in every round.
The key challenge will be the temporary departure of apEX. The in-game leader (IGL) duties will officially be taken over by mezii. This will require a major tactical rebuild, especially on the CT side, where apEX was critical for map control, utility usage, and mid-round team coordination.
The coach confirmed that Vitality is forced to change their role distribution. Although flameZ has already learned to independently coordinate support for his actions, the overall approach requires adaptation. Specifically, jL is not a primary rotation player, so he requires more active communication and constant directions on the server, forcing the team to restructure their game on most maps.
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