For the first time in their history,
Karmine Corp have been defeated by their French rival
Gentle Mates in
VCT EMEA. The loss places KC in a difficult position, with a 0–2 start in their group despite ambitions of achieving far better results than at Kickoff following the return of Marshall “
N4RRATE” Massey to the roster.
After the defeat, Dmitrii “SUYGETSU” Iliushin spoke with Sheep Esports, not without a sense of bitterness, about the frustrating loss that followed a highly eventful series against M8.
What is your first feeling after this game?
Dmitrii “SUYGETSU” Iliushin: “I don't know, frustration I think. Frustration, disappointment.
What do you think went wrong today on all the maps?
SUYGETSU: I don't know, I think we were a little bit afraid to do something maybe. Who knows.
What kind of play do you think you should have been better?
SUYGETSU: There are different ones. I think we shouldn't lose Fracture, but we lost it on defense because I feel like we were a little bit scared. So we could have played with more confidence on a different side, but we didn't. Usually in practice we were doing it, but it's practice. If we were able to do it, I think we would be fine.
It's your second loss in two games. Even though your teams need time to adapt since you got a new player and a new IGL, do you feel like you are already under pressure to absolutely win the next ones?
SUYGETSU: We will see. We never give up; we're trying our best, but we will see how it goes. I don't feel extra pressure.
The loss against Gentle Mates is even harder for the fans, since there is some kind of rivalry between the two French teams. Is it a feeling that you share as well?
SUYGETSU: Not really. I mean, I'm not from the French scene. I don't have rival teams, so I'm fine. I know that they’re having banter between each other; it doesn't matter for me, to be honest. I just play what I should play.
It was also N4RRATE's second game with you, and he showed great things in the first two maps. Do you think he already has some kind of impact or brought a new dynamic to the team?
SUYGETSU: Yeah, of course. In terms of calling stuff, he's very good when it comes to suggesting plays, etc. He's very good. He’s good in the mid-game. Most of the time he knows how to coordinate plays and how to play properly.
It seems like all the players of your team have great individual skills, but you can’t show it collectively yet. What's the reason for this according to you?
SUYGETSU: I don't know, to be honest. I think we also don't know the reason.
You were playing against your former teammate Martin "marteen" Pátek. Your coaches already said last year that he had the potential to be one of the greatest players in the world. I guess it’s not a surprise for you to see him at this level since the beginning of the year?
SUYGETSU: No, but right now I don’t think he's playing at this level. Last year he was the same in
Stage 1. He delivered, but in Stage 2 it was not like before. Right now everything is happening the same. So I don't know how it's going to go. His team is winning; he's good. It looks like they don't need him to deliver this kind of performance. He can continue to play like in Kickoff, but it depends on him.
It's your second year with KC. What do you think about your individual performances since the beginning of the year?
SUYGETSU: The kickoff was fine for me, except for only one game, I think. Stage 1 started a little bit roughly, but it was also rough for all the team. I still need to adapt, trying to find my game style, etc. But I don't know; we'll see.
Is there anything you think you should do better to help the team, or something you should improve on?
SUYGETSU: I don't know, maybe. I need to rewatch and think about this. Sometimes it's just hard to play as Sentinel in this current meta.
Your next game will be against Team Heretics, who are also struggling in the beginning of the stage and just made a change. Would you say it's a must-win for you and your team, given this state of the competition now?
SUYGETSU: It's hard to say. We will see during the game, but right now I feel like they're in the same state as us. They changed the player; right now they're also adapting their game, so we will see.”