Cloud9 bounced back with panache, securing a resounding victory against Leviatán, and this reaction was largely due to the team's energy and clarity, despite the presence of a substitute. After the match, Erick
"Xeppaa" Bach gave us an interview and discussed how C9 simplified its approach around Max
“Demon1” Mazanov, the renewed emotional energy behind the team with the temporary absence of Francis
“OXY” Hoang, and why Jordan
"Zellsis" Montemurro's return was essential for VCT 2026.
Tonight, what held up the best from your game plan, and what was the first thing to break once the series started getting tense?
Xeppaa: "The game plan wasn’t anything crazy, especially with Demon1 (Max Mazanov); we’ve only practiced with him for three days. We have some set things, but for the most part on Chamber, we let him play what he wants. At the beginning of rounds, we just ask him what he wants to do: “Demon1, go kill”.
You were really sharp today with aces and clutches. With everything going on around Francis “OXY” Hoang, did that give you extra strength today?
Xeppaa: I do everything for my boy; he’s like a little brother to me. Everyone on this team had Oxy’s power behind us today, and hopefully tomorrow too. We wish him the best and hope he comes back soon. We’re ready for Envy tomorrow.
With a stand-in, you can quickly tell whether a team is ready. What felt like it cost you the most today, and on the flip side, were there moments that made you feel like it was going to be an easy win?
Xeppaa: I’m not going to lie, all of us felt that way before the game. The last three days, we’ve been dominating in scrims, so everyone’s confidence was through the roof. In review, we saw things we expected from them, and a lot of it was just playing our game. If anyone peeked at somebody, my team was going to shoot back.
Without Oxy, you had to reorganize. What did you intentionally simplify to keep the team stable?
Xeppaa: Oxy is our primary Duelist, so
penny (Erik Penny) played the Duelist role. Demon1 came in and took over penny’s role, and then penny played Oxy’s role. That’s the most we could simplify. And starting Demon1 on one agent for most maps is easy for him and easy for us.
With Demon1 stepping in, what was the main thing you asked from him, and do you think he delivered today?
Xeppaa: One thousand percent. We told Max (Demon1): do what you want to do and play as you did before. He has confidence in us, and we have confidence in him. As long as he does his job, which he did, more than enough, we’ll win.
When you have a stand-in, teams often overcompensate or underuse him. How did you integrate Demon1 without changing your identity?
Xeppaa: We have a structure for how we want to play, and with him on Chamber, it’s simplified anyway. He sits where he wants and tells us what he wants, as if he wants to play A, we’ll play around him. We call what we have, and if Zellsis (Jordan Montemurro) wants to be more specific, he’ll call it. There’s mutual respect; everyone has a voice, but Zellsis is the one we follow. And for the most part, it’s still: “Demon1, go kill.”
Zellsis and Xeppa sit at the desk after their victory over Leviatan. Credit: Stefan Wisnoski/Riot Games
Was it important to bring Zellsis back, and what does he change in your day-to-day play compared to last year?
Xeppaa: Every team can benefit from Zellsis. Whether he IGLs or not, he’s amazing all around, a good teammate in and out of the game. He’s consistent, and that’s the biggest thing. The vibe is also crazy, something we didn’t have as much of last year. I’m grateful to have him back. This is one thing I really want, and I also really want to play with Leaf again.
We see you guys trolling each other on stream; there’s a real brotherhood. How important is that vibe, and when it’s time for the end-of-season review, are you going to snitch and tell the staff all the stuff you did?
Xeppaa: No, I can’t do that. But for the most part, streaming, even in practice, we joke, and we’re serious when we need to be. When match time comes, it’s serious. If the time comes and we’re winning 12–1, sure, there are laughs and smiles. But at the end of the day, me, and the whole team and I are focused on winning.
The second big addition is Penny, who played in EMEA before. What does Penny bring, and how did his integration go?
Xeppaa: Penny was teammates with
Zellsis, and I didn’t know much about him before. But seeing him now, the way he plays, the way he works, the biggest thing is having someone flexible enough to be consistent. He can play any role we put him in. As long as he gets a couple of scrims, he’s good. He doesn’t get nervous either, and that’s really good.
Compared to last year’s roster, what’s the most visible difference in the way you play today?
Xeppaa: It’s a good question. I think it’s mostly in my roles; every day I’m confident in my abilities, and I do what I do. But if I had to say one thing, shoutout to Zellsis. He activates me again."
