NAVI coach B1ad3 blames errors for Cologne Major exit

Natus Vincere failed to reach the Cologne Major playoffs after group-stage defeats to Team Falcons and G2 in Cologne. Coach Andrey ‘B1ad3’ Gorodenskiy attributed the early exit to small mistakes and an inability to finish rounds under pressure.

Gorodenskiy noted NAVI faced a tough group that also included Spirit, Legacy and The MongolZ. He said the team created chances in the matches against Falcons and G2 but repeatedly failed to convert those advantages. “We had all the chances versus Falcons, all the chances versus G2 today, but if you’re not closing the rounds with an advantage, it means you’re not ready to play the playoffs,” he said after the loss to G2.

The coach pointed to a mix of individual errors, poor macro decisions and communication breakdowns across both matches. He described an instance on Inferno when a timeout instruction to “focus B” went unheeded and players stacked A. He also cited overtime on Anubis where the team lacked clarity and did not build micro plans, and matches on Mirage where Na’Vi lost 5v3 and 4v2 situations they should have closed.

Gorodenskiy linked his visible frustration during games to repeated failures to execute agreed strategies. “Whenever I’m frustrated, it’s usually because something we discussed several times, we don’t do,” he said, recounting how plans discussed in timeouts were not followed on the server.

Looking ahead, the coach said the club will review demos and consider roster options during the transfer window if the current lineup cannot meet season goals. “It’s a transfer season, agents will come to us and make offers,” he said, adding he will work with the organization to build a stronger plan for next season. He also referenced the rise of teams like Vitality and the desire to assemble a roster able to compete when those teams are absent.

Gorodenskiy did not announce any specific changes and said he first needs to review the team’s play and discuss options with the club before deciding on moves.