“Avoiding relegation is hard but not impossible”

After being promoted to the PG Nationals, I sat down with ENEMI3S staff supervisor Sergio “Spasio” Federico and analyst Antonio “Tony G” Vincenzo Giardinoto to speak about their staff, their expectations, and what it appears like leaping to a better division.

Interview with ENEMI3S – Who’re they?

ENEMI3S (NM3) is an formidable esports venture born in 2022 primarily based on strong moral ideas and led by individuals who have a 360° perspective of the business. It initially began off by partnering with the Italian group aNc Outplayed as a way to develop and study as a lot as potential inside the aggressive gaming scene. After one yr, ENEMI3s have been in a position to land into PG Nationals, Italy’s most prestigious League of Legends competitors, in addition to the Blooming Abilities League on VALORANT.

Though ENEMI3S have been promoted to PG Nationals after Webidoo have been faraway from the league, their outcomes and dominance within the second division have been sufficient to provide them that likelihood. And in response to Spasio, they didn’t hesitate on taking that chance:

We instantly determined to simply accept the supply as a result of we all know that PG Nationals offers much more visibility and on the similar time, we consider we now have a roster able to competing in PG Nationals, so we determined to provide our gamers a shot.

The choice got here one week following the roster lock, so the staff discovered itself in a tough scenario. Regardless of that, they nonetheless jumped the gun as a result of they thought it was extra helpful for the gamers and it could be a motivating issue for the group as a complete, contemplating they have been aiming to climb the divisions anyway.

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Maintaining the gamers and the synergy

Going into the Summer season Break up, ENEMI3S solely made one roster change, changing ADC Filippo “Sandalo” Laghi with Vincent “xDrop” Rietberg. His arrival has been constructive for the staff general, giving the staff extra flexibility on the subject of their playstyle. Nevertheless, crucial cause is that the staff will have already got a stronger synergy:

Our largest benefit is that we’ve been working with the 4/5 of the lineup for almost 7 months. We have now constructed chemistry over the yr and there’s a nice staff spirit between the gamers and the teaching workers. 

Regardless of that, it is going to be an uphill battle for NM3. Not solely are they going to be dealing with aggressive groups, however they can even should discover a solution to keep away from relegation. For the reason that slot was given to them, they’re presently sitting at 0 championship factors. Until they get a prime 4 or prime 5 end, NM3 will then should play within the promotion match.

In a latest interview with DSYRE, they expressed their curiosity in NM3 as a solution to see whether or not there’s nonetheless a giant hole between the primary and the second division. When requested about it, they mentioned that whereas the typical degree is decrease, there are some prime groups like NOVO Esports which have the potential to make the upset occur through the promotion match.

Though there could be a spot between particular person gamers, morale shall be a major issue through the match. 

Tony G additionally added that, for him, the hole obtained increased this yr in comparison with 2022. It’s because PG groups have raised the bar since everybody constructed the roster to keep away from relegation, and however, the Professional Gro groups don’t appear as aggressive.

Talking of groups and the general competitors, Spasio was notably concerned with two gamers:

My two names are the Turkish ADCs within the league: Aetinoth, who I believe is the perfect ADC in PG, and Pako who performs for AXL. I had the prospect to see the latter loads through the offseason, and I consider he’s a really sturdy and mechanical participant. As for the groups, I’m extraordinarily excited to play towards DSYRE as a result of I’ve good relationship with a lot of the teaching workers. For my gamers, as a substitute, I’d say MACKO since they made the highest 8 in EUM. Will probably be a fantastic alternative to study from them.

Tony G, however, is generally concerned with Atleta after what they confirmed through the first video games. “They give the impression of being well-established already with sturdy preparation and I believe credit score goes to the top coach BlackRussian,” he mentioned. “Additionally, I can’t wait to play towards ACD (MACKO’s prime laner). I’ve had the prospect to work with him in Spring 2022 and he’s a participant I’ve at all times appreciated in and out of doors of the sport.”

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The tough begin to the break up

ENEMI3S are presently 0-2 within the standings, after shedding to Cyberground Gaming and Axolotl within the first week. Regardless of the preliminary outcomes, Tony G was completely happy about how the groups confirmed up up to now. Having mentioned that, he additionally talked about how the shortage of expertise in a way more aggressive atmosphere affected the staff.

I ended up asking if they’d plans to handle that lack of expertise, contemplating the brief period of time they’ve left, which is round two months. To that finish, NM3 determined to choose up Gabriel “Halier” Garcia Negreiros as an assistant coach.

He beforehand labored with Flamengo Esports in CBLOL and packs worldwide experiences. In accordance with Tony G, he has been a sport changer:

Fortunately, we now have fewer issues to deal with for the reason that gamers know wach different for fairly a while. It’s evident that Drop and Joao have reacted higher since they’ve already performed in ERL1, whereas Skaterot, XnS, and Kpr should be motivated. Our apporach has been to strengthen the teaching workers and usher in individuals who know as a result of they’ve labored on the best ranges like Halier.

Tony G added that Halier has been serving to the staff every time issues get heated. Each the top coach and the gamers have sturdy personalities, so it’s inevitable to have some conflicts once in a while:

Some have quite a lot of composure, whereas others are fairly emotional, however they’re very assured in themselves. Hybrid, likewise, calls for loads from himself and this staff, so there are egos clashing sometimes. Nonetheless, we now have discovered a superb stability, and the decision permits us to enhance extra.

The state of the meta

League lovers have lately complained in regards to the stale aggressive meta and it has been a deciding issue throughout all ranges {of professional} play. Tony G gave some fascinating insights in that regard, mentioning how he thinks Riot modified its coverage with the tempo of the modifications within the final two years. These days, the sport makes massive leaps and extra radical modifications each 5 or 6 patches. It occurred with the preseason, the mid-season replace, in addition to with the sturdiness patch in 2022.

It forces the groups to adapt much more shortly and spend quite a lot of time finding out. Whereas I do agree that the meta is stagnating, I consider that it’s primarily because of the ideas that some champions have. Sure picks have an excessive amount of in aggressive play and they’re going to at all times be prioritized. It’s additionally powerful to have many viable champions on the similar time. There are fixed modifications and I believe there’s much more volatility in comparison with the previous, however it’s as much as the coach and gamers to take, research, and adapt. That’s the place the distinction will lie going ahead.

Earlier than rounding off our interview, I requested each in the event that they wished to shout out somebody. The 2 wished to publicly thank their assistant coach Alessio “Casco” Vitale: “He has been with us since spring,” mentioned Spasio. “He’s solely 17 years previous and has been working laborious. I’m glad he’s getting an opportunity with us in PG.”

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