apEX: "jL has been a phenomenal stand-in"

Vitality's campaign began with a surprise loss to Inner Circle, but the team bounced back with wins over 9z, Legacy and FUT to complete the lower-bracket run. 

Vitality captain Dan "apEX" Madesclaire spoke to HLTV after helping his team secure a place in the playoffs of BLAST Open Porto, reflecting on his strong individual performances, playing with jL as a stand-in, and the team's recovery after a difficult start.

Vitality's difficult road to the playoffs

Vitality began the tournament with a surprising loss to Inner Circle, but managed to recover with three consecutive victories over 9z, Legacy and FUT. apEX admitted that the team had gone through a difficult period, but believes their confidence is now returning despite playing with a stand-in.

I'm really happy, to be honest. We've been through difficult times, and it's getting better right now, even with a stand-in. I feel like we're playing better, more confident and a bit with more balls and just headshotting a bit more and that helps, not going to lie. Doing it with Justin as well is awesome. I had a few tournaments, but I'm not like Karrigan, playing with tons of stand-ins in my career as IGL. It's not something I get used to, but fun experience.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire

Valuable wins for the VRS ranking

The lower-bracket run was important not only for Vitality's tournament survival but also for their position in the VRS. The team defeated several opponents ranked above them and recovered a significant number of ranking points. apEX highlighted how quickly teams can move up and down under the current system.

They were almost all above us in the ranking. That was really important for the VRS as well, we won maybe 150 points out of three games. We get back to good points. This VRS is insane. We won five events in a row, and then you lose two quarter-finals and you're back to top four, top five, and that's actually mind-blowing for me. But that's the way it is. We know that you can go down really fast, but you can go up really fast as well, so that's the goal for the team.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire

High expectations despite the stand-in

Despite playing with jL instead of mezii, Vitality entered BLAST Open with the same ambitions they normally have. apEX also explained why he sees the tournament as an important opportunity for jL to prove that he can still perform at the highest level.

I always have high expectations. We always have high expectations in Vitality when we have such brilliant players and such a brilliant team. So no way, if you don't count BLAST Bounty, we've been through group stage for maybe, I don't know, 40 events, 30 events. We haven't lost since Katowice 2024, I think, in group stage. So for me it was really important to go through and then see how it goes and just have a lot of fun with Justin, and also to show to the world that he still has it, because I think it's important for him to play good here, to have opportunities.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire

What Vitality lose without mezii

mezii's absence has changed the team's dynamics, both in terms of communication and atmosphere. apEX said the British player brings calmness and experience to the lineup, while jL brings a different personality and style.

Well, we lose a voice. We lose a person that is really calm. While Justin is calm as well, but a bit more crazy, and we have enough crazy people in the team, I would say, so it creates a bit of chaos sometime before maps, et cetera. We lose a person that is one of also the best supports in his roles, et cetera. So it's not easy to lose him. But Justin has been a phenomenal stand-in.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire

The Vitality captain also said he hopes mezii can return to his best level after his parental leave, praising him as the best teammate he has had.

apEX's individual resurgence

apEX has also found better individual form during the event, averaging a 1.07 rating so far. He explained that he has been putting significant time into the game and was frustrated that the work did not translate into results at the Esports World Cup.

I'm putting a lot of hours in the game. I'm sad it didn't show up here for EWC. That was our main tournament, and for Vitality as well because it was so important for me to do well there. I played the most amount of CS for a long time and it didn't show, and it feels like it's showing now.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire

Confidence makes Vitality dangerous

The improved performances have given apEX more freedom to make plays and take initiative in his entry and rotation roles. He believes that when he is able to combine that freedom with his individual level, Vitality become a much more dangerous opponent.

I'm happy. I had a really good third map yesterday, really good two maps today. It's good for the confidence, I'm not going to lie. As an entry and rotation, for me it gives me a lot of more wings to move and do plays, and that worked today against young guys that have, like, twice my aim or three times maybe, but when I play like that, I think we are such a dangerous team.

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire