Xyp9x: Now is the right time to develop by making new strategies and getting people into the right roles
The "Clutch Minister" talks about the current state of Astralis and why they have felt needed to make some changes inside the team.
Astralis is about to kick off their BLAST Premier Fall Groups campaign, with the Danish squad taking on Evil Geniuses this Thursday afternoon. The former #1 team in the world hope to secure a spot in the prominent BLAST Premier Fall Finals later on in November this year, in front of strong teams like Liquid, Vitality and EG.
Astralis arrive at the tournament after a rather disappointing showing at ESL Pro League S14, where they were eliminated in the group stage. We have sat down with Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth to touch a bit on the current state of Astralis and what they have done to bounce back from a strugglesome period.
- "I think we are in decent shape. (…) It’s obviously not the stable Astralis we all know.
After a period with a lot of hectic things like lineup changes and stuff like that, we are starting to settle down in a way. I believe now is the time to develop by making new strategies and getting people into the right roles. We have the players to actually win tournaments – We just have to develop and innovate ourselves.
I think our chances at BLAST Premier Fall Groups are okay. Obviously, we haven’t performed too well lately and also made some changes to the lineup. But I still think we are a strong contender in the group, even though Liquid and Vitality have shown a great form in EPL, Xyp9x states to Pley.gg"
The otherwise dominant Astralis haven't lifted a trophy in the entire 2021
Astralis has had more than four weeks break since their last official match back at ESL Pro League. A period, where Xyp9x explain that they have tried to innovate themselves to develop the most, but also because of an IGL change inside the roster.
- Of course, we needed to do something new because we are in a bad period. We have tried to shake the boat in terms of our strategies so to say. I also think we had a strategy book that maybe was a bit outdated, and with Counter-Strike always developing, it’s something we often do.
Magisk is now in-game leading instead of gla1ve, which of course is a very big change as well. But I think we are well prepared. And with Magisk taking on the IGL role, we also felt the need to do something that fits his style of calling, Xyp9x said.
Xyp9x and company will meet Evil Geniuses this Thursday at 16.30 (CET) in Group A's opening round at BLAST Premier Fall Groups. The winner will advance to the upper final, where they will play against either Vitality or Liquid. You can the match here on Pley.gg.
