Players set expectations ahead of VCT Masters Madrid 2024 opening day

Players representing each hopeful side at VCT Masters Madrid fielded a raft of questions from the media, with topics ranging from in-game minutiae to thoughts on the Madrid cuisine. Here we collate the highlights from the tournament favorites.

Magnum talks Karmine Corp practice and biggest opponents

Entering as arguably the biggest favorites are Karmine Corp blew away expectations and won the EMEA Kickoff while beating Fnatic on the way. However, when asked about practice in the buildup to the tournament, their in-game leader Martin “Magnum” Peňkov provided a worrying update that may hinder the side’s chances.

“So sadly, I have to say this, when we landed in Madrid, there was a big mistake in scheduling. So we didn’t have as much time to scrim. We had like four days, and three of these days were almost full media days. So we didn’t scrim as much like other teams.”

He added that he thinks KC are ready regardless and highlighted Gen.G and EDG as their likely rivals for the trophy.

“I would say EDG or Gen.G have big potential to win it… and I don’t know what our shape is going to look like outside of scrims. [It will be the] first official most of us are going to play in such a big arena with a crowd, so I don’t know how we’re going to react to it”

On KC’s first opponent FunPlus Phoenix, Magnum revealed that his side is confident heading into the tie as he thinks FPX “have a lot of gaps” and is behind when it comes to macro.

Tenz on getting back on top, and re-building Sentinels synergy

Sentinel’s return to the top of the Americas after years away came following a roleswap for superstar Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, moving away from Duelists and onto Controllers. Despite receiving plaudits in his new role, the Canadian spoke modestly about his resurgence, citing the team’s overall performance as the reason for his own play looking better.

“When you are having a rough patch and you’re also losing as a team, individually you also play worse. So I think everything there ties in in tandem. And so since we’re playing a lot better we’re winning now individually it looks like I’m playing better. But I think at the end of the day it’s it’s a team game.”

He pointed to a lack of team identity as the reason for Sentinels’ underwhelming last couple of years; “I think the main factor for why we played better this season or this year is because us as a team is juggling a lot better together, both in-game, out of game. I think we’re able to have a specific team identity and we understand that.”

“So in the previous iteration of Sentinels, we definitely thrived in that more chaotic environment, especially with me and Sick sharing like duelist roles or me and Shaz sharing duelist… Now looking at this year I would say we have really really good teamwork, we understand the game a lot better than what previous years would be and I think as a team we understand each other and we trust each other a lot.”

“This current iteration of Sentence has been giving me more like, not necessarily like flashbacks, but it feels nostalgic to have this level of confidence moving into future matches.”

f0rsaken hopes Paper Rex can bring all the 2023 vibes back

Despite being upset by Gen.G in the Pacific Kickoff final, Paper Rex still comes into Masters Madrid as one of the favourites having kept most of the team that finished runners-up in Champions 2023.

On their status as frequent global event attendees, IGL Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto pointed to team atmosphere and confidence as the reason for the team’s consistency; “we just believe in each other and we just keep having fun in every tournament even though we have new members… We try to grind as much as possible so we can keep on with the teams here.”

Despite qualifying for the event, f0rsakeN feels Paper Rex is only operating at “six or seven out of ten” while new signing Monyet continues bedding in.

“I think we have to bring the same vibes and mood from 2023 so that we can keep up I think.”

He added that they can still be flexible while gelling in the new players, and hinted at “a lot of new things” that the side has up its sleeve to use during the tournament.

Saadhak discussed competitive Balance and representing LATAM

Finally, Americas Kickoff runners-up LOUD aims to regain international success having been crowned world champions in 2022.  IGL Matias “Saadhak” Delipetro believes that the current global competition is as close as ever.

“Now I would say it’s the most balanced it has been in a while. EU is super strong right now, NA is strong. Pacific is super strong, China too. So I think Valorant right now is super competitive – it’s a game where every region could win.”

As the only native Spanish speaker in the competition, the Argentine is taking pride in representing both the local and Latin American fanbase.

“I’m very happy to be able to represent our team. It’s something that always gave me a lot of pride in my heart and being able to do it again makes me very happy… It would be a pride to win on Spanish soil, speaking Spanish, representing Latin America, representing the Spanish-speaking public. For me it would be a dream.”

He went on to praise Madrid as a city he loves to visit, pointing to the cuisine as a great feature of the city. Something perhaps not best to admit to the locals, however, Saadhak highlighted the strictly Valencian dish of paella as one that he enjoys during his visits to Madrid.

Read next: FNC Elmapuddy on VCT Events in 2024: The goal is to win