After spending time competing in Brazil’s Challengers scene, Lorenzo “
Loss” Suffredini has finally reached the
VCT Americas stage after winning VCL LATAM. The Brazilian joined
BESTIA and will make his Tier 1 debut in the Americas Play-In, marking another step in a career he sees as far from reaching its final destination.
In an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports on Tuesday August 11th, Loss discussed the feeling of reaching VCT Americas for the first time and the challenge of facing more experienced Tier 1 teams. The BESTIA player also talked about what he considers a successful Play-In run and the ambitions that continue to drive his career.
After spending time with FURIA Academy and now reaching Tier 1 with BESTIA, how does it feel to finally compete in VCT Americas?
Lorenzo “Loss” Suffredini: “It’s really more of a relief to have made it here. For this year, it was the next necessary step in my career. More than just playing well in Brazil and then coming here and playing well too, this is another necessary step in my career to get where I want to be.
After experiencing both the Brazilian and LATAM scenes, what are the main differences in how each region plays VALORANT?
Loss: Both regions are good. They both bring good teams here to the Americas. The way we play in Brazil, sometimes, especially in Challengers, is a little more passive, while LATAM is a little more aggressive. That’s the main difference. For me, it doesn't really matter. It depends on the team and the teammates. For me, it's purely about adapting.
BESTIA raising the VCL LATAM trophy. Credit: Official Broadcast/Liga Ace Esports
Based on your practice against Tier 1 teams, what do you think will be the hardest part of the Play-In?
Loss: Just like any other game, any other match, whether it's in Challengers or here, if we can apply what we've been practicing and what we've been thinking is right, we'll be able to bring home the win, regardless of which team we're playing against. Knowing how to adapt during the game is always very important. That's it: being able to keep doing what we're doing, regardless of the league, the match, or the team.
You have already faced some of KRÜ’s secondary teams, and now you will face the main roster. How do you see this matchup?
Loss: Regardless of which team came up in the draw, I see it as just another opportunity to show our game, to show ourselves as a team at BESTIA and me as a player. Regardless of the team we're playing against, and especially the players and the organization, it's more about the players than the organization because they're different players and it's a different team. Whoever came up, we were going to give our best regardless.
Is there anything you believe BESTIA does better than KRÜ that could be the key to winning?
Loss: No, I don't think so. The most important thing will be being able to adapt well during the game, and that's it. There's not really much else to it.
How did the team react when you found out you would face KRÜ again?
Loss: We were at the airport. I remember that when the draw happened, we were boarding the flight, so none of us were able to watch it. We weren't together. My reaction was, as I said, that it would have been the same with any team that came up because we have to play anyway. Regardless of the team, we're happy to be able to face them and play. For me, at least, it doesn't change much. I don't know about the guys.
Is there any team or player in VCT Americas you are particularly interested in facing?
Loss: No, I'm always focused on whoever comes next. Whoever comes, comes.
What would you consider a successful BESTIA run in the Play-In?
Loss: For me, making a good run, regardless of whether it's through the upper or lower bracket, and being able to make it to São Paulo is when I would consider it a good run. If we make it to São Paulo, I can guarantee that it was a good run. Before that, it depends on the matches. We definitely have the ability to win them all, so that's why we have to go as far as possible for it to be a good run.
You said reaching VCT Americas is just another step toward where you want to be. Where does Loss want to get?
Loss: Everything is just another necessary step. My ambition is big. What I'll leave you with is that my ambition is big, so this has been something I've known for a long time. To get where I want to be, I need to go through here. I prefer to keep my goal a little more private, but it's important to know that this is just another step.”
