TL nAts: "You can’t play this game alone. Every piece has to reset after the first map"

In a post-match press conference following their victory over EDG, Team Liquid reflected on their mindset, resilience, leadership and international playstyles, as well as a decisive anchor play on Bind, while looking ahead to a rematch with DRX

Keiko: "We’ve been through everything, crazy rounds we’ve thrown away and crazy comebacks we’ve pulled off"

After their victory over EDward Gaming on Friday, with DRX next on the agenda at the VALORANT Champions in Paris, Team Liquid spoke to the press about their priorities, how they had mentally reset after a rough start, and how leadership and experience had shaped the series. The players emphasised the importance of collective responsibility and composure, highlighting the differences between international and regional play, while maintaining their focus on executing their own game.

Question for Patryk "paTiTek" Fabrowski:

What motivated you going into this match: avenging the Heretics by knocking out EDG, or avoiding a 0–2 start and securing the win?

Patryk "paTiTek" Fabrowski: "I was really focused on getting a win with this team, avoiding a 0–2 and another early exit. That was the priority, just to win. I wasn’t thinking about Heretics or “avenging” anyone. It’s nice to beat EDG and eliminate them, but I just wanted the win.

Question for Ayaz "nAts" Akhmetshin:

A key theme in the match was the team’s mentality on Bind. How did you improve that?

Ayaz "Nats" Akhmetshin: I wouldn’t say it was just me, it was the whole team. You can’t play this game alone. Every piece has to reset after the first map. As our coach said, we weren’t really playing our game at the start of the series. Later, we finally showed up and did what we’re supposed to do, maybe not yet at the level all of us want, but clearly better than across the previous three maps we played, including DRX and Sunset against EDG. In the last two maps, we finally appeared. It feels good.

Question for Kamil "kamo" Frąckowiak:

What does it mean to have nAts as your IGL?

Kamil "kamo" Frąckowiak: With nAts on the team, as a player, I don’t have to worry as much about the emotional side of the game or my mindset. He helps everyone with that. And he also delivers in the server, as you saw today. It’s great to have him. I’m happy.

Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Question for Georgio "keiko" Sanassy:

How do you handle the pressure and maintain resilience, whether you’re mounting a comeback or recovering from a heavy loss?

Georgio "keiko" Sanassy: We’ve been through everything, crazy rounds we’ve thrown away and crazy comebacks we’ve pulled off. I don’t think it affects us much now. We had a wake-up call from the coach after Sunset, and we’re a very resilient team.

What does it feel like to play at Champs, and how does it differ from facing EMEA teams?

keiko: Internationally there are many different playstyles. You can see it with DRX and with EDG, both are quite different from what we face in EMEA. It’s a valuable experience for everyone, and it was a fun match.

Question for Ivo "LohaN" Albino:

You’re playing DRX again. What needs to happen to ensure the result is different this time?

Ivo "LohaN" Albino: If we get on stage and play our game, I’m confident we can beat them. We just need the courage to stick to our identity and not abandon it. That’s it."

Header credit photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games