This Brazilian IGL hasn't been dwelling on missing ESL due to health issues.
Legacy got off to a strong start in the Thunder Cup, beating PARIVISION 2:0 after a hard-fought battle. The series also marked arT's return to competition, after missing the previous ESL due to meningitis.
In a post-match interview with HLTV, the 30-year-old admitted that health issues cost the team the chance to build on their previous good momentum, which left him frustrated. Legacy had previously gone on to win FISSURE Playground 3. But he also stressed that there is no point in dwelling on regret.
“For any team, if you can build momentum and successfully sustain it, it is very helpful for confidence and everything else. So, we do feel frustrated, right? That feeling of helplessness, making you feel like you can't provide help and can't do more. Based on our previous performances, we know we have a chance to win the upcoming events we compete in. Now, we must look forward and realize that a new opportunity has presented itself. We have already made a good start, which is important, so we will work hard to build on it.”
Q: arT, welcome back! You won your first match back 2:0, though both maps were quite tough. How would you evaluate this series?
A: I think the overall performance was pretty good. We played good CS. My own form isn't fully there yet, and my aim is still a bit inconsistent. After all, I haven't played CS for a long time, and I was barely able to train normally during that period, so that's to be expected. However, we did really well in terms of tactical execution and teamwork. My teammates also won important rounds through individual plays in some key rounds, which helped us a lot.
It's always important to start with a win, so I'm glad we did.
Q: This is your first match back with the team after missing EPL due to health issues. I saw that you were still keeping an eye on the team's training during your recovery. Was it tough watching the team play from the sidelines?
A: Yes, I think so. It's so frustrating.
This is the first tournament I have missed since I started playing CS, so missing the competition was really hard for me. At the same time, I wanted to help the team, but I didn't want to become a burden to them. Without a computer, it was difficult to offer help. Even without me, they actually played quite well. They had plenty of chances to beat PARIVISION, even reaching match point, and had opportunities to close out maps. Against 1win, they also built up a good lead, and they beat ShindeN, so the team's performance was not bad at all.
I think the issue is more about some details, like whether we can secure a playoff spot, or whether we can play games closer to victory. Being away from the team and unable to play always feels terrible. But now we're back together, and the most important thing next is to regain the momentum we had built up.
Q: Your previous results were quite impressive: a third-place finish at EWC, winning FISSURE Playground 3, and playing several closely contested matches against Vitality and Falcons at BLAST Porto. Is it frustrating not being able to maintain that momentum? Do you feel the team's overall level has regressed a bit as a result?
A: Of course. After we came back from China, we only had about three days of rest before we were supposed to resume training. But just as we were getting ready to start training again, I got sick, started having headaches, and eventually couldn't even continue playing matches. This had a huge impact on the team, because without me, everyone couldn't train normally. Apart from the days I was hospitalized and the time spent competing in tournaments, we basically couldn't train at all while we were in Brazil. As a result, we went through quite a long period without playing CS normally.
Q: This situation always disrupts the team's rhythm, affects everyone, leaves everyone feeling frustrated, and sets us back a step, right?
A: We all know how important it is to maintain the momentum we have built. For any team, if you can build momentum and successfully turn it into results, it helps a great deal with confidence and everything else. So, we do feel frustrated. That feeling of helplessness makes you feel like you can't help and can't do more. Based on our previous performances, we know we have a chance to win the upcoming events. Now, we must look forward and realize that a new opportunity is in front of us.
We have had a good start, which is important. Next, we will work hard to build on this and keep moving forward.
Q: How long do you think it will take for the team to return to the level they showed a while ago?
A: I think just playing through this tournament will be enough for us to rediscover our form. We already have some match footage to analyze and discuss, and we've already started making adjustments to get the team back on track, both tactically and as a team overall. So I think gradually rebuilding our form over the course of the tournament will be very important.
Q: So, this tournament is also a test for the team, to figure out what level you're currently at?
A: Yes, you could say that. This is also an opportunity to help us get out of the slump. Mentally, I'm still not 100% ready to throw myself back into CS. I'm not fully ready tactically, and my aim hasn't recovered either. This tournament is like tuning the car while driving. We may be able to gradually fix these issues over the next few matches. If we can win the next match, we'll have a chance to go further in this tournament, even compete for the championship. So, we'll take it one step at a time.
Q: In terms of training, what have you mainly done to help the team get back to the level it should be at?
A: Actually, we have barely trained at all. After I was discharged from the hospital, I stayed in Brazil for two more days for check-ups and continued treatment. Only after that did I come here, arriving just about a day before media day. At the time I was still dealing with jet lag and was severely sleep-deprived. I'm still very sleepy now, I woke up at six in the morning, and I'm still on medication. Yesterday we practiced a few maps, but there is only so much we could do. Practicing for just one day can't make that big of a difference. Therefore, right now we are mainly trying to stabilize the team and prepare ourselves mentally to avoid getting frustrated by poor performance. We have to be clear that we can't expect to arrive here and immediately compete at one hundred percent and with the right mindset.
I also needed some time to adjust and stabilize, to figure out what we want to do, how we want to play, and what things we did well and are worth keeping. I think, despite the short preparation time, we did a good job with all of this and successfully prepared for today's match. Going forward, we hope to carry today's intensity into the upcoming matches and truly get the team back on track.
Q: Considering the current situation, what goals have you set for this event?
A: Our goal has always been to reach the knockout stage. That has always been our expectation. Even considering the level of play we have shown before, we should aim to reach the knockout stage. This is what we demand of ourselves and what we believe we should achieve. But at the same time, we must also learn to manage our frustration. If for some reason we fail to make the playoffs, we need to find a way to learn from it and become stronger.
If we successfully reach the knockout stage, then our next goal will be to try to win the championship of the entire tournament. I think that will always be our pursuit. But as I said, there is no need to keep thinking about these long-term goals now, only to end up playing poorly tomorrow. The most important thing for us right now is to win tomorrow's match.