FNC Oscarinin: "I only showed a bit of what I can do. Be careful Canna"

FNC Oscarinin: "I only showed a bit of what I can do. Be careful Canna" | Sheep Esports

"My confidence right now is higher than ever [...] We’re playing the best we’ve played this year, and we can be dangerous for Karmine Corp"

In a swift display of raw power, Fnatic eliminated GIANTX from the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) summer playoffs, securing a spot in the league’s top four. With Worlds qualification on the line, the boys in black and orange now turn their focus to Madrid, aiming to maintain their streak of Worlds appearances as Karmine Corp awaits. In an exclusive interview, toplaner Óscar “Oscarinin” Muñoz Jiménez sat down with Sheep Esports to discuss his confidence, how Fnatic adapted to play around him, and his thoughts on the upcoming match in Madrid.

Are you satisfied with your showing against GIANTX today?

Óscar “Oscarinin” Muñoz Jiménez: “I had a lot of fun in the second and third game for sure. The first one was definitely a content game. That was something—I don’t even know how to describe it. It was a lot of chaos. We lost control of the game a lot. Against their comp, when we were a bit behind, it was hard because they had a lot of outrange. Somehow, we made it in the end, but if we had lost that game, maybe the series would have been different. But we won, so it’s nice.

After the close loss to Movistar KOI last week, how was the team’s mood, and did you ever doubt qualifying for Madrid?

Oscarinin: The mood in the team after Movistar KOI was pretty low energy—not a lot of happiness. You could really feel that after losing, the mood changed. But even though it changed, it was way better than in other times we lost. We still managed to have good practice, and it didn’t feel like a graveyard, so that was pretty good. I didn’t doubt getting to Madrid. I was confident. GX is a decent team, and on their day they can be dangerous, but we were better today. I’m really happy we are going to Madrid.

After three years in the LEC, how do you reflect on your growth and confidence, especially given the ups and downs and criticism you’ve faced?

Oscarinin: My confidence right now is higher than ever. I’m playing well, and we are playing better with me in the team. We had a lot of issues figuring out how to play around me, but now it’s much better. I’m really happy with the drafting and everything. I received a lot of criticism this year, but it was a hard year for me and the team. We couldn’t find middle grounds on some things. Now I’m happy, and that’s what counts. I think my performance in Madrid will be even better. I’m happy with the team.

There’s been speculation about your future with Fnatic. Do you now feel secure in your spot and role within the team?

Oscarinin: I cannot say I have a spot on Fnatic. I don’t know that honestly, so I’m not going to say that. Personally, I feel confident in my abilities and I believe I’m pretty good. I don’t know what our organization has planned, but I hope to perform well in Madrid and hopefully go to Worlds. I would love to stay here, obviously.

What changes were made to make you a more pivotal part of the roster and play more around you?

Oscarinin: At the start of the year, even Spring Split, we were playing a lot for bot-mid and not at all for top. Sometimes I played tanks or matchups where I needed help and didn’t get it. We did a lot of work to play around me when needed and let me be an actual carry so that I can initiate plays as well. We had many talks in-game and out of game. Now it’s much better, but before, we definitely had issues with that.

Iván "Razork" Martín Díaz mentioned that in the offseason it was clear something had to change, and while it could have been him, in the end it was Marek "Humanoid" Brázda who left. Did you agree that a change was necessary, and do you think replacing Humanoid was the right decision?

Oscarinin: I agree with Iván. Something had to change, and I didn’t know if it was going to be me until the end. The team couldn’t go higher—we weren’t working properly. So something had to change, and in the end, it was decided that would be Humanoid. I don’t know if it was the best decision, but for now it looks decent. We are in Madrid, top 4, and hopefully we’ll be in Worlds. The team environment is better now, so I think it’s an improvement.

You’ll be facing Karmine Corp in Madrid—the team that knocked you out in Winter and Spring. With the home crowd behind you, how do you feel going into the match?

Oscarinin: I feel good about the match. Obviously, KC has shown all year that they are a really good team, but we have a pretty good chance. We are better than ever this year. It sounds crazy, but I believe it. We’re playing the best we’ve played this year, and we can be dangerous. Our home crowd is always really nice to have—especially against KC, since they’re a French team. Chants will be really one-sided. It’s nice to have the fans on our side.

Fnatic hasn’t missed Worlds since 2016, and you’ve qualified every year since joining the LEC. Do you feel extra pressure not to be the one to break that streak?

Oscarinin: Yeah, for sure there is pressure toward Worlds. That’s what we are all thinking about—probably KC the same. If we win, we are gonna have a huge relief. Obviously, we want to win the LEC, but first we’re probably thinking about Worlds. So yeah, that match is gonna be really important for us.

Any last words for KC or a message to hype up the fans?

Oscarinin: I just want to say that today I just showed a bit of what I can do, and in Madrid it’s gonna be way better. So be careful, Canna (Kim Chang-dong).”

Header Photo Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

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