B1ad3 on NAVI Staying Intact: “We Believed This Season We Could Be Trophy Contenders”
B1ad3 on NAVI Staying Intact: “We Believed This Season We Could Be Trophy Contenders”
Natus Vincere’s coaching staff chose stability over overhaul during the most recent CS2 off-season — a decision rooted in confidence that the existing roster was capable of competing for big trophies in 2026.
According to head coach Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy, NAVI entered the new competitive cycle having already integrated their latest addition, Drin “makazze” Shaqiri, and used the previous season as a period to assess long-term synergy. While results did not consistently meet organisational targets, their strong run to the StarLadder Major Budapest 2025 semifinals — where they narrowly lost to FaZe — convinced leadership there was something to build on without drastic change.
“After the Major, we understood we are at the top of our arch of development… we believed this season we would have a lot of potential to be a trophy contender.” — B1ad3.
B1ad3 emphasised that NAVI’s off-season approach was not passive: the organisation actively monitored player movement and explored possible upgrades, but ultimately concluded that chemistry, role balance, and internal progress were more valuable than simply adding new names.
“We need to not just take players — we need to build a squad where all pieces must be in the proper position to work.” — B1ad3.
The coach also noted that comparisons to star-studded teams like Vitality are natural, but finding that specific combination of players — especially ones who fit NAVI’s internal vision — is not easy. As such, maximising what the group already had was the priority.
Impact of Map Pool Changes
Despite the belief in their core lineup, NAVI’s expectations have been tempered by recent changes to the competitive map pool. The removal of Train — one of NAVI’s strongest maps — came as a surprise just days before the new season started.
Train was considered a major strategic strength for the team, and its absence negatively affected their veto options in early tournaments. B1ad3 highlighted this as a tangible reason for struggles at the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 group stage, where NAVI were defeated by FURIA after having Ancient — their other priority map — removed from the draft.
“The map pool change was a full surprise for us. Train was a map we relied on.” — B1ad3.
As a result, NAVI has shifted focus toward rebuilding a strong pool of maps that can support consistent high-level performances.
Long-Term Philosophy and Context
This decision aligns with B1ad3’s previous comments over the past year about the organisation’s long-term goals. NAVI have repeatedly emphasised team growth and sustained contention rather than quick fixes — a philosophy he outlined in previous interviews about building a winning roster that can regularly compete for titles.
While the current campaign has had obstacles, including map pool volatility and tougher early draws, NAVI’s coaching staff remains committed to extracting value from the current lineup, believing the team has the potential to reach deep brackets and challenge top-tier opponents when everything clicks.
Related News
