“We need to give makazze time. He’s showing really good potential.”
Despite sporting an arm injury, Natus Vincere head coach Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy made time at IEM Cologne’s mixed zone to chat with HLTV after NAVI’s resilient 2-0 win over FaZe secured their playoff spot. He shared thoughts on the squad’s evolution, the seamless integration of rookie Drin “makazze” Shaqiri, and the evolving roles of seasoned players like Mihai “iM” Ivan. And yes, he also opened up on s1mple’s eyebrow-raising move to BC.Game.
Cologne 2025Germany, Cologne, LANXESS arena
Team Spirit
MOUZ
Natus Vincere
A Debut Worth Watching
Reflecting on NAVI’s route to the playoffs, B1ad3 was pragmatic. “Against FaZe, we played our game. The MOUZ match was tight, but we lacked a deep stratbook. Margins mattered,” he explained. “Our map pool isn’t what it was before the Major, which limited our veto options against NiP. They got both Nuke and Train — two strong maps for them.”
He credited their ability to adapt: “Beating FaZe the second time around was thanks to prior analysis. We flipped things — picked Inferno, countering their usual veto pattern. Our system’s still fragile, especially with two BO3s in one day, but making playoffs this quickly is a strong sign.”
makazze: Raw but Ready
Thrust into the spotlight with no LAN pedigree, makazze is handling pressure with poise. “You can’t compare him to tier-one veterans,” B1ad3 said. “But coming from the academy, showing confidence and adaptability — it’s incredible. He just needs knowledge and time.”
Why take the gamble? “If we could get a superstar like donk or ropz, we would. But we didn’t, so investing in young blood made more sense. He deserves this shot, and I think other teams should take similar chances on academy talents.”
Shifting Roles and Rebuilding Chemistry
makazze steps into jL’s shoes but with his own twist. “I analyzed our previous weaknesses, spoke with makazze and his coach, then pieced it together,” B1ad3 noted. “We let him stick to roles he prefers — just like Falcons did with their new guy. Confidence is key at this stage.”
Meanwhile, iM has been a revelation. “He’s played incredibly well in this event — sometimes as a passive lurker, sometimes active. We’re optimizing as we go.”
B1ad3 is clear that this phase is about structure, not silverware. “We’re focused on the rebuild, shaping up for the Budapest Major. If we click, we can aim for trophies next season. For now, it’s about the grind and staying in flow.”
s1mple’s Bold Move to BC.Game
And then, there’s s1mple. The once-undisputed GOAT made headlines joining BC.Game, a tier-two squad. “If you can’t land a top-tier team, you grind. Simple as that,” B1ad3 affirmed. “He did great at the Austin Major. He’s still got the spark — it’s about how much he wants it now.”
“Look at karrigan or apEX — these guys grind with passion. If s1mple channels that, he can rise again. He has the potential to still be the best.”</p