Makazze: "If we play our best CS, we will make the major"

NAVI player Drin "makazze" Shaqiri gave an interview to HLTV.org, discussing the team’s preparations for ESL Pro League Season 24, their difficult stretch of the season, his individual form, and the fight to qualify for the Singapore Major. Their opening match at the tournament in Katowice will be against G2.

NAVI worked on eliminating individual mistakes

Ahead of ESL Pro League Season 24, NAVI spent more than ten days practicing from home. According to makazze, the team focused on correcting individual mistakes, including unnecessary peeks, rather than making major changes.

The player noted that the team will continue playing all seven maps, with NAVI feeling more comfortable with their map pool after the preparation.

We were making a lot of individual mistakes. We tried to fix them — unnecessary peeks and things like that — and we managed to do it. We have also fixed our map pool now; it has improved since the last tournaments. I think we are better prepared.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

makazze described NAVI’s recent stretch as a difficult period

NAVI struggled at several recent tournaments, leaving the team in a difficult position in the race for the Major. makazze believes their problems cannot be reduced to one specific mistake — the team was in poor form overall.

However, the player stressed that he does not let disappointing results affect his approach to the next tournament.

We were simply going through a bad period as a team. Overall, we were not playing our best CS or hitting our shots. I would not say the problem was only unnecessary peeks. It was a bad period.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

Personally, I have a good mentality, and I am fully focused at every tournament. I do not worry too much about what happened at the previous tournament. I always think about the next one.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

NAVI do not want to think about the Major

makazze also discussed the fight for a spot at the Singapore Major. According to him, constantly thinking about potentially missing the tournament only creates additional pressure, so the team agreed to focus exclusively on their matches.

If you think about it, you will not be able to focus on the tournament because you will be under a lot of pressure. We just play every tournament and try to give our best. If we play our best CS, we will make the Major. And if we do not, then we do not deserve to be there.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

makazze also noted that NAVI understand what this situation means for an organization that has never missed a Major. However, the team agreed not to let that burden affect their play.

We also know that the NAVI organization has been at every Major, so it would be good not to miss it. But if you think about it during matches, you will be under a lot of pressure. So personally, I do not think about it. I just think about every game we need to win.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

makazze is confident he has regained his form

The Kosovar also admitted that the recent tournaments had been difficult for him individually. According to him, the string of losses made it harder to play his best CS, but taking some time off helped him reset ahead of the next tournament.

Right now, I would definitely say I am in better form than at the last tournaments. It was difficult when you just kept losing, losing, and losing — you could not play your best CS.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

I also enjoyed life more, so I was able to clear my head. I am fine now. I am in better form, with a fresh mindset, and ready for tomorrow.

Drin "makazze" Shaqiri

ESL Pro League Season 24 will take place from October 3 to 11 in Katowice, Poland. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing for a $1 million prize pool. NAVI will begin their campaign on October 3 against G2.