Denis "Larl" Sigitov, midl-aner for Team Spirit, discussed the team’s disappointing performance at the recent Riyadh Masters 2024.
He explained that the issues might have stemmed from Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naydenov's struggles with individual performance, which led to a decision to give him some time to recuperate and reduce his workload. During this period, the responsibility for drafting and overall strategy was shifted to Airat "Silent" Abdullin.
Larl noted that the team faced difficulties with their drafts from the group stage onwards. The lack of consistent drafting strategies and the need to adapt throughout the tournament created challenges. While Airat handled most of the drafting, Miposhka still contributed, although his preparation was not as thorough, which sometimes added unnecessary pressure on him. The decision-making process, including hero picks, often fell on Miposhka, despite the team's input.
Currently, the team has reverted to a system where Airat primarily handles the drafting, with Miposhka offering support. They rely heavily on Airat’s suggestions for hero picks and strategies.
Larl attributed their struggles at the Riyadh Masters 2024 to a general lack of understanding of the heroes, not only from Airat but from the team as a whole. He emphasised that while the coach decides on picks and strategies, input from the team regarding hero strengths and weaknesses is also crucial.
The International 2024 takes place from 4th to 15th September in Copenhagen, Denmark, with 16 teams competing. The prize pool has surpassed $2.4 million and continues to grow through sales of the compendium.