Simran Joshi
MAD Lions KOI support Álvaro “Alvaro” Fernández delivered a standout performance during the team’s crucial 2-1 victory against PSG Talon, securing a spot in the Swiss Stage at the League of Legends World Championship. Despite his key role in the win, Alvaro remains focused on improvement, emphasising both his personal and the team’s need for further preparation. Speaking after the match, he reflected on his team’s early-game strengths, mid-game challenges, and his personal drive to prove their place among the world’s best, aiming for a top-eight finish in the tournament.
Alvaro’s Reflections on Personal Performance and Team Dynamics
Alvaro’s self-assessment after MAD Lions KOI’s victory against PSG Talon revealed his dual sense of satisfaction and ambition. He was pleased with his performance, noting that he gave his team confidence, particularly during the early game where they excelled. However, his competitive nature drove him to seek more from himself and his team as they progressed to the Swiss Stage. Alvaro emphasised the need for improvement, focusing on how crucial it is to maintain awareness throughout the game, as lapses in attention often caused them to lose their early leads.
Despite the satisfaction of advancing, Alvaro highlighted moments where the team faltered, such as the bot lane fight where they hesitated, leading to a missed opportunity. He pointed out that these errors stemmed from a lack of decisiveness, something they would need to address moving forward. Alvaro remains confident that with more practice, MAD Lions KOI can correct these issues and perform better in future matches.
Handling Criticism and Expectations at Worlds
Alvaro also discussed the external pressures faced by MAD Lions KOI, particularly the criticism surrounding their qualification and low LEC win rate before Worlds. He acknowledged that detractors would always find reasons to criticize, whether by blaming their performance or downplaying their opponents’ capabilities. Alvaro’s approach is to ignore the negativity while extracting useful feedback from critics, maintaining that the team was among the top in the league despite the negative chatter.
Looking ahead, Alvaro set an ambitious goal of reaching the top eight at Worlds, aiming to play in Paris in a best-of-five format. He believes the team is mentally strong and better suited for extended series, where preparation and adaptability come into play. For Alvaro, this journey is not only about proving themselves on the world stage but also about improving both individually and as a unit, with a strong desire to make the most of the experience.
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