iM on makazze: “Now he’s learning that sometimes you need to push the brakes”
iM on makazze: “Now he’s learning that sometimes you need to push the brakes”
The Romanian rifler Mihai "iM" Ivan opened up about his evolving role within Natus Vincere (NAVI) and his efforts to help 18-year-old Drin "makazze" Shaqiri adapt as the organization’s newest aggressive firepower.
NAVI arrive at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 seeking redemption — coming off a demoralizing last-place finish at IEM Chengdu 2025. The team had shown promise earlier this season: capturing their first title in almost a year at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, making playoffs at ESL Pro League 2025, and nearly winning the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 — only to be reverse-swept in the final by FURIA. But losses to Astralis and HEROIC in Chengdu disrupted their momentum.
Despite the poor results in China, iM admitted the outcome was disappointing — but said a ten-day bootcamp before the Major has restored some confidence and sharpened their focus.
The core of the discussion was adapting to new roles on the roster after the addition of makazze. iM said that while having another aggressive player is “pretty nice,” it’s also vital to strike a balance. For example, he explained that if makazze is being aggressive in one part of the map, iM might not — helping avoid overlapping pressure and miscoordination.
He went on to describe how he’s assisting makazze in inheriting some of his previous positions. On maps like Ancient, makazze has even taken over iM’s old spot in Middle. iM still fights for Middle control at times — but when he gives it up, he steps back to offer tactical guidance: reading enemy utility, anticipating setups, and adjusting to what the opposing team is doing.
It hasn’t all been smooth — iM admits it felt “a bit weird at the start” to adjust to makazze’s aggressive style. Nonetheless, he acknowledges the value of having a confident, first-entry type player. Off the server, makazze’s lighthearted attitude — jokes, laughs, vlogs — also contributes to team morale. iM says such a relaxed yet determined mindset (“chill-aggressive,” as he puts it) can be a huge asset before and during games.
Summing up the mindset going into the Major, iM said the team feels ready — but also aware of the volatility of best-of-ones. With two BO1s in a day, the second match could drastically change their path depending on who wins. For now, they’re focusing on synergy, discipline, and smart decision-making, rather than raw aggression.
Context: Who is makazze and why his arrival matters
-
makazze, full name Drin Shaqiri, is an 18-year-old rifler originally from the NAVI Junior academy. In June 2025 NAVI officially promoted him to their main CS2 roster.
-
The promotion came during a turbulent period for NAVI — after a dip in form and no significant finals appearance during the first half of the year. The hope: inject fresh blood and give the team a spark, similar to how NAVI previously integrated star players in the past.
-
While makazze had moments of inconsistency and acknowledged that his game in NAVI Junior wasn’t always “smart CS,” he emphasized the importance of growth and adapting to tier-one competition.
-
Recently, makazze expressed that winning a lower-tier trophy — the StarLadder StarSeries Fall — still meant a lot to him personally. The victory helped build confidence after joining NAVI.
What to expect at the Major — and why balance matters
With makazze’s aggressive playstyle added to NAVI’s mix, the team is consciously trying to avoid chaos. iM’s words highlight how important coordination, adaptation, and communication are, especially with dual-aggressive players.
NAVI’s recent turbulence — a promising string of performances followed by a disappointing IEM Chengdu — likely increased pressure ahead of the Major. The bootcamp seems to have helped reset morale and tactical clarity.
If they can maintain strategic discipline, benefit from makazze’s youthful aggression — while keeping older players’ experience and composure — they might hit their stride just in time for Stage 2.
Related News
