G2 Esports, one of the most formidable teams in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), has surprisingly found itself in the last place in the current standings. The unexpected nosedive in performance has raised eyebrows in the eSports community.
The rendition of the team that graced the LEC stage this year failed to live up to expectations. Despite being one of the top contenders every year and having a habit of making it to the finals, G2 has shown a drastic downturn in form.
The onset of the rough patch was witnessed during the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). The team had aced the Spring Split and earned the rights to represent Europe in the MSI. However, they faced a disappointing loss.
The team’s performance at the MSI was a clear departure from their usual display of power. Sadly, the trend carried on to the Summer Split as G2 continued to lose matches, even against teams who were formerly considered easy beatings.
Their loss to Excel Esports, a team currently on the penultimate spot in the standings, stung hard. Going down to Rogue Esports Club was another surprising defeat. However, the game that really made the headlines was their defeat against MAD Lions.
The MAD Lions game was uncharacteristically sloppy from G2's perspective. They lost the game despite having a 10k gold advantage. It was a clear sign that the team was not in its prime form.
Their form continued to dip and their losing streak was not showing any signs of breaking. It was a harsh reality for a team that had dominated the stage in every facet before.
It should be recalled that G2 had been the champions of the LEC for four consecutive years. They were the defending champions and their fall from grace was unprecedented and shocking indeed.
Their core team comprising Perkz, Jankos, Wunder and Caps is a band of legendary players. Mickyx also joined them in 2019 making the team more formidable. However, even such a talented lineup seemed to struggle in the current season.
Big name players like Jankos, who was once considered Europe's best jungler, seemed to be struggling too. Caps, who was always a reliable mid-laner, was not performing at his highest level either.
The uncharacteristic underperformance of their main players was one of the main reasons for G2's fall from grace. It was not about the talent, rather it seemed to be an issue of a mental blockade or lack of coordination.
The constant losses and their inability to turn things around might have put the players under immense pressure. The team’s mental state was not helping them either.
The fall has been steep and swift. Now, the question on everyone’s lips is: Can G2 bounce back? The team's next performance will definitely be the one to watch closely.
Repercussions of their current form might extend beyond the current season. Players unknown to such slump might consider their future with the team. It is important for the team to turn things around before it is too late.
G2 must examine what went wrong and find the right solution quickly. It is unknown whether the management will consider player movements or structural changes.
In the end, it all boils down to how G2 handles the situation. Even with their current form, they are a team that can bounce back strongly if they push in the right direction.