FURIA coach sidde praises Vitality’s intelligence and adaptability as keys to success

FURIA coach sidde praises Vitality’s intelligence and adaptability as keys to success

FURIA coach Sid “sidde” Macedo has offered high praise for Team Vitality, describing the European side as a group of “very smart players” whose ability to think independently and improvise under pressure is fundamental to their sustained success.

Although FURIA and Vitality have contrasting styles and histories, sidde’s comments provide insight into why the French squad consistently rates among the world’s elite — particularly in a year (2025) where Vitality added another Major title to its resume. Team Vitality were crowned champions of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, securing their third Major victory of the season and solidifying their status at the top of Counter‑Strike 2 esports. Their success was capped by a strong performance throughout the tournament and an eventual 3–1 grand final win — with Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut earning his third Major MVP award in the process. 

“I see Vitality as a team of five very smart players,” sidde said, encapsulating the key factor he believes separates the French outfit from many of their rivals. “And a team like that will always be one that achieves the most success.” While sidde’s remarks were made in a broader context of strategy and team development, they align with a common thread in CS2 analysis: the importance of players who can adapt mid‑round and think independently, beyond rigid strategic commitments.

Analysts and fans alike have routinely pointed to Vitality’s combination of individual brilliance and collective decision‑making as central to their rise. European talent such as ZywOo — often ranked among the best players in the world — has been credited with elevating Vitality’s game through both mechanical skill and high‑pressure round impact. 

Sidde went on to emphasize a broader philosophical point about Counter‑Strike strategy: the best teams are those that don’t simply follow a book of pre‑planned concepts. “The best teams are those that can step outside the playbook and play in their own style, not overly afraid of being read or out‑strategized. Vitality has this ability: the players understand what’s happening in the round and bring good ideas right in the middle of the game.”

That assessment echoes commentary from casters and analysts during numerous broadcasts in 2025, where Vitality were frequently highlighted for their mid‑round reads and ability to turn seemingly lost situations into round wins — a trait often linked to the game awareness of top players like ZywOo and Robin “ropz” Kool. 

Sidde also acknowledged that FURIA as a squad aspires to build similar decision‑making depth. “Sometimes you need to play ‘on the fly’ when the situation demands it. If you are too rigidly attached to the paper plans, then what are you going to do when something goes off the plan? Usually you can’t plan five steps ahead for every round.”

“For me, the number one team is the one where the players make the right decisions and know how to improvise as the game goes on,” he concluded — a comment that underscores the emerging tactical philosophy at FURIA as well as FURIA’s admiration for Vitality’s model of play.

FURIA themselves have had a strong 2025, with notable showings in high‑tier events and a style built around aggressive tempo control and individual firepower. While the Brazilian squad continues to refine its own identity, sidde’s reflections on Vitality point to a broader recognition that adaptability and game sense are central pillars on the road to CS2’s highest trophies.