Long accustomed to dominating the European scene and consistently qualifying for every international event since the launch of the VCT, Fnatic have looked like a shadow of their former selves this year. Once regarded as one of the cornerstones of
VCT EMEA, the organization has struggled to recapture the level that previously allowed it to secure multiple international titles.
After five matches in
Stage 2, Fnatic hold a 2-3 record, a position that falls well short of the standards their fans have come to expect. Finishing 5th in Group Omega, the Black and Orange will now have to go through the play-in stage, where they will face off against Tier 2 teams, before potentially reaching the playoffs that will determine the teams qualifying for Champions. This downturn can largely be attributed to the numerous roster changes made over the past several months. Since Timofey
"Chronicle" Khromov's departure to Team Vitality, Fnatic have been in constant search of a new identity.
Fnatic before the game against Team Heretics. Credit: Alexandre Weber/Riot Games
Following the arrivals of Sylvain
"Veqaj" Pattyn and Clement
"CyvOph" Millard, who was more recently replaced by veteran Kirill
"Cloud" Nehozhin, as well as the addition of head coach Andrey
"ENGH" Sholokhov, the team has struggled to establish any real stability. However, the clearest warning sign came earlier this week in the form of a heavy defeat to Team Heretics, during which Fnatic
suffered the first 13-0 loss in the organization's VCT history, a result that has inevitably raised significant questions about the team's future.
Cojo asks fans for patience
Following the defeat, Fnatic
VALORANT Team Director Colin
"Cojo" Johnson addressed the growing concerns of the fanbase
in a post on X. He stated that he intends to be fully transparent at the end of the season regarding the circumstances that led the team to its current situation, describing it as the result of a combination of factors, including circumstances beyond the team's control, mistakes that he openly acknowledges making, and an element of bad luck.
In the meantime, he emphasised that the entire organization remains focused on a single objective: restoring the team's momentum and establishing a clear direction ahead of the Play-Ins. He also took the opportunity to defend the roster in response to the increasing criticism. According to him, despite the disappointing results, the atmosphere within the team remains extremely positive, every player remains fully committed to the project, and nobody has given up.
He acknowledged that these explanations would likely do little to satisfy disappointed supporters, but stressed that both the coaching staff and the players have given everything this season in an effort to make the project succeed. He concluded his message by reiterating his confidence in the roster, expressing his belief that this young squad is still capable of achieving great things.
