From 2016 Shanghai MSI as an auxiliary game, to 2024 Chengdu MSI as a coach return, eight years later, Mata returned to China to participate in this event again, this time at MSI was fortunate to have an interview with Mata, Tyrannosaurus Esports also asked him a few questions that everyone is very concerned about.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: You also participated in the 2016 MSI held in China when you were a player, so what is the difference of coming to the MSI held in Chengdu, China again as a coach?
Mata: I've been competing in international tournaments like MSI for the first time in a long time, and I've always wanted to win international tournaments, but this time I'm here with the best players and then with the expectation of winning the championship, so I'm going to do my best.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: Many of the players in the previous play-in tournaments said that your team is the strongest team in MSI, what do you think of this statement as a coach?
Mata: I think our team is one of the more promising teams to win the championship, but T1 and BLG are also candidates for the championship just like us.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: As the coach of the team, is there anything you would like to say to your players?
Mata: There are also two players in the team who have never played in MSI, so I would like to tell them to play as usual and not to be nervous. I'll be there for them at all times.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: As a champion support player, can you rank a few support players at MSI?
Mata: Actually, in my opinion, there is no first, second, or third ranking, and the top 3 in my mind are Lehends, Keria, and ON. (In no particular order)
Tyrannosaurus Esports: Because your RANK has also remained above 1,000 points, how do you evaluate your current competitive state?
Mata: Actually, I personally think it's because the version is changing all the time, and I need to adapt to the version as a coach, so I'm going to try different heroes in the version, and if I think it's better, I tell the players that it's better to play this way. I think that although it may not be of much help, it may be the highest single score of all coaches.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: In fact, many older players are still active in the arena now, such as Deft, Faker, Impact, etc., so have you considered making a comeback as a support player?
Mata: Last year or the year before that, I also had the idea of making a comeback, but I couldn't do it because of the Korean army. I heard that there are 1~2 players who have made a comeback after military service, but he is now active as a coach, so he has no plans for this for the time being.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: Dandy and his old teammate Dandy are now on the coaching team, who do you think is more capable of coaching? Where are the stylistic differences?
Mata: Although I am also on the coaching team, I am a little bit different from his role, I am the coach, Dandy is the supervisor, I may be more inclined to guide the game content, but Dandy is more inclined to the management of players, and life will also be involved.
Tyrannosaurus Esports: Because I have been in China for a long time, how does it feel to be in China again?
Mata: Actually, I'm not sure if I've ever been to Chengdu when I was living in China, but I do remember going to a zoo or base where pandas are concentrated. When I was in Korea, I heard that Sichuan's mapo tofu was delicious, and I always wanted to try it, but I never had the chance. I hope I can eat it after I come here this time.
Conclusion: Due to the time of the interview, I didn't have time to ask a few questions that I had prepared, but I would like to thank Coach Mata for his patient answer and the team for giving me the opportunity to do this interview.