The final series of the Madrid LEC roadshow saw an all-Spanish clash between Movistar KOI and GIANTX, where spectators were treated to a fourth successive three-game series. MKOI were the eventual victors, condemning GX to a 1-1 record for the weekend following their earlier victory over G2 which saw the side begin to turn around their underwhelming form. We spoke to head coach André “Guilhoto” Pereira for an interview after the event’s competition had come to a close.
Image credit: Riot Games
Esports.net: What are your immediate thoughts on the MKOI defeat?
Guilhoto: I think I think we lacked a lot of the energy that we had yesterday. I felt we played a lot more scared. But at the same time, KOI is better at doing some things that we struggle against than G2. So I think it was a deserved win for them.
Overall I’m happy with what we achieved in Madrid and the progress that we made. But I don’t think we played in a way where we should be too proud of all three games, including the one that we won. So a bit of mixed feelings — happy with what we got in Madrid, not so happy with how we played today. But I think we get good conclusions here.
What was happening that caused the pauses in game two?
Guilhoto: It was game one and game two — it was game two because I told them that if this happens again, what they were saying in game one, to pause the game and straight up refuse to play.
I think that Jackie’s headset — he was hearing differently on the left side and right side. I think he would hear the audience from the right side only and then he would hear some people only on the left ear. At the same time, Isma was really loud for everyone and the solution that they gave us was kind of just move your mic away. But that solution didn’t really work. So then it was mostly just sound issues happening.
Lee Jones: Of everyone competing in Madrid, you looked like you were soaking up each of your entrances the most.
How have you enjoyed competing in an event like this?
Guilhoto: I just love this country and the city. To me, even though I’m not Spanish, I grew in Spain — my career in esports grew in Spain. So every time that I come here, I just enjoy [myself] the most. I try to convince the French on my team that this is just a better environment than France.
It’s just amazing. I’m so happy now that the summer finals will be in Madrid as well. This stadium and these fans are just 10 out of 10. I know the culture, I know the fact that they really just want to have a good time and I just try to soak as much as I can from it.
Image credit: Riot Games
You occasionally post online about your son, will events like this one be something special that you can show him one day?
Guilhoto: He couldn’t come yet because the noise is still a bit too loud, but hopefully at some point I’ll still be able to do this at the maximum level when he’s able to understand what it is.
There were a lot of moments where I thought of quitting and obviously he is a big part of why I wanted to keep going. I feel more motivated than ever because I want to set a good example for him of someone that never gives up.
I’ve never won an LEC, and even though a lot of people just call me delusional, I want to make that happen. And until my dreams come true and I can show him that that is possible, I will just never give up and never stop.
Lee Jones: Touching on GX’s current trajectory, things have been a bit rocky for a while, though the win against G2 looks like it could revitalize things a bit.
What are your thoughts on where the team’s currently at?
Guilhoto: I think just a hard time playing the same way [as] in scrims. I think there is a lot of tension and a lot of hesitation and a lot of fear to fail. And today that happened a bit, but it’s happening less and less. Just something that we are trying to work on.
The G2 win helps, but it’s not like it’s going to solve all our issues. I think G2 is going through a tough phase themselves. So we just have to focus a bit more on ourselves and trying to solve those issues. Our mentality right now is that if it’s not fixed for Spring split playoffs, then at least it sets a good foundation for Summer. And that’s kind of where our minds are right now.
What is the general aim for Summer then? Is there a certain target?
Right now we don’t have an aim. We changed our mindset a bit to just focus on winning the next game. And until that stops being our focus, that’s going to be my answer. So it’s basically just trying to focus on winning the next game.
And for Summer, we’ll see where we are, where other teams are. No team competes not to go to Worlds, so it’s not fair for me to say that that’s not our aspiration. But right now our mindset is mostly focused on the next game and trying to win the next game.
Lee Jones: In behind-the-scenes clips, it looks like GIANTX never goes anywhere without a football now.
Who on the team is actually good?
Okay, I think no one is good. To be fair, I’m probably the best one on the team — not because I’m really good but because I think they never really saw a ball in their feet. Basketball, I’m pretty good. At that one, I will beat everyone in LEC 100% sure. But when it comes to football, my team is just really bad. So then I look a bit better, but it’s because they are bad. And Emi’s- I think Emi’s good too.