Feeling obviously really good. 3-0 — obviously everyone's going to feel happy. But still locked in for tomorrow. I think tomorrow is the big day.
One of the highest praises MKOI receive is creativity — game plans, lane swap management, a thousand ideas when you're well prepared. Are you just a different team in playoffs because you prepare differently?
For sure. When you're playing for the whole year, you need to prepare your season according to your expectations. And we obviously expect to make playoffs every time.
So we prepare for the ramp up to start in playoffs and to reach our peak performance towards the final.
Our preparation gets better and better as the season goes on.
Aren't you scared of getting cocky after a 3-0, and do you still consider VIT a top team?
I think they are a top team. But today they honestly had a bad performance — they didn't play like a top team. And yeah, I still don't think we're going to get too cocky.
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The good thing about having Melzhet is that you're not allowed to get too cocky. He's just gonna flame you.
Do you expect KC and G2 to be much harder matchups than Vitality?
I think the top three is quite locked and there is a gap. That's at least how I see it. It would be nice if Vitality now comes up stronger and puts in a really strong performance against KC or whoever comes through the lower bracket. But I think there is a top three and there is a gap.
Today, was it a prep diff — were you just more prepared — or did they underperform?
I think they underperformed. And honestly, it was just a team diff today. I think the five of us played better than our opposite players.
It looks like most of the time you're the main instigator of the plans — pulling the trigger on invades, skirmishes. Is MKOI at its best when you carry those responsibilities?
Not sure, honestly.
I really like to have as much responsibility as possible — if something goes wrong, I'll just blame myself.
But I don't know if the team gets better because of it. I think everyone has been stepping up a lot in comms. Jojopyun has been doing a fantastic job, Myrwn has been way more vocal, Supa as well. And Alvaro has always been insane on comms. I think it's still important that I'm a pillar of the comms for everyone, but honestly right now anyone can really take over.
In the MKOI documentary, Melzhet told the team at some point — now Elyoya's taking the comms, everyone shut up and listen. When things go wrong, are you the one who has to carry those responsibilities?
Yeah, for sure. When things go wrong — and when things go well — I'd rather take the blame. I won't always shotcall the best play 100% of the time, but as long as we're on the same page in those 100% of times, even the bad plays might turn into good plays.
What's your read on why you struggled earlier this split, before Madrid?
Honestly, I don't have a clear reason. I wish I had one. This happens to us a lot — in the regular season we have some unclean games, our confidence goes a bit down. We've been through this cycle a lot of times and I don't know the exact reason. But honestly, it was nothing new. We are always this kind of team. We expected it already.
You can't find the reason even though it keeps happening?
Yeah, every time we come up with a different reason. Right now I think I have a solution. But I'll tell you the next time this problem comes — and if I'm able to solve it.
What's changed since then — everyone stepping up, practice going better?
I think everyone has stepped up. The practice has actually been going a bit worse, but our mindset hasn't changed. We're still playing as a team, still feeling cohesive.
Honestly, I think right now we are more of a unit than we were before. We play for the same things. We're more of a team.
Photo Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
There's been criticism that MKOI are too dependent on jungle-mid. Fair or unfounded?
I think the criticism is fair to a certain point. At certain points in the regular season we did depend on jungle and mid.But right now we've stepped up a lot in bot and top. You could see it today — the Caitlyn game, Supa had a really strong performance. Alvaro usually has strong performances. Myrwn was playing weak side in the Varus-Olaf matchup and still didn't fall too much behind.
Everyone has really stepped up. Right now we can play through both top and bot. Obviously it's still nice when mid-jungle plays well — that makes everyone play much better. But right now we have a lot of strong points.
Can you actually play through top? We haven't really seen it from MKOI this split.
Just sit and watch. You will see, that’s all I can say.
You renewed until 2028 this week. What does it mean to stay with this club for two more years?
Honestly, it's just the main reason why I'm still here. My love for competition is the main reason I still compete, but the second biggest reason is that I really feel like family in this club. This club has given everything to me and I'm giving everything to them. I'm really happy with the relationship I have with every member and the fans.
No matter when I retire or anything, MKOI will always have a place in my heart.
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Did you ever think about leaving the club during your career?
Yes, obviously. When I wasn't too sure about the future.
A last word for the fans before two more years together?
It's going to be two more years, guys, that you're going to have to deal with me. After so many years, it's always been the same kind of games — really stressful, really high highs, really low lows. You guys are going to have to get used to it.
When you reach your 40s you'll have grey hair, you'll be almost bald. I'll have to take care of the psychologists or whatever you need, because I think it's quite hard to be a MKOI fan.
But seriously — thank you so much for all the support, for always being there. We'll keep on delivering.
Rapid Fire Questions
A rapid-fire round to close out — yes/no answers, with optional context.
MKOI fans are louder than KC fans. → I need to tell you after Paris — I haven't played in front of them yet so I don't know.
You feel much more confident playing with Alvaro on engage supports. → Yeah.
The early game is more important than the mid game. → I wish, but no.
Jojopyun is the best mid laner you've ever played with. → I've played with demonic ones: Humanoid, Nisqy... Yeah, he might be.
He should have won the split MVP. → Yes.
Since 2021, have you been proud of your individual performance at any international competition? → Some of them. Really few. Really few.
Jungle is the most OP role in pro play. → Kinda. I think so — but every role is so broken right now. Still, jungle is really really strong.
If it was only your decision to make, you would have joined G2 when they made the offer to MAD Lions. → I think I would have — yeah.
Would you want to spend your whole career in MKOI? → Yes.
