Is there life after Aleksib: what options do G2 Esports have?

The competitive scene in CS:GO has gone on a well-deserved break. At the same time, large organizations that have not achieved success with their squads are gradually waking up and entering the transfer market. One of the first clubs to start rebuilding their team was G2 Esports. In our new column, we will try to understand why the team did not manage to shoot with their previous line-up, and also to figure out what options Carlos Rodriguez has in general. As a result, we will try to understand: Is there life in G2 Esports after Aleksib?

A beautiful backstory with a tragic ending

January 2022. Organization G2 Esports makes the most high-profile transfer of the off-season, buying m0NESY from NAVI for a cosmic $600,000 (according to rumors). A young sniper needs the sensitive eye of an experienced captain, but at the same time, nexa no longer wants to be on the team and asks for the door. As a result, G2 Esports is forced to make an exchange of captains with OG, as well as to sign an experienced French coach XTQZZZ, who has proven himself in Vitality.

At first, everything is going well - a relatively successful performance at BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2022 (4-6th place), an unfortunate defeat in the tense grand final of Intel Extreme Masters XVI - Katowice by FaZe Clan. However, then ESL Pro League Season 15 happens, where G2 Esports starts with a confident victory over LookingForOrg, but then suffers three defeats in a row and loses the chance to get into the championship playoffs.

It seems that the team got off with a slight fright, since G2 Esports did well at the RMR tournament, as the team went through to the major without any problems. As well as the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 itself, the team started with three confident victories at the Challengers stage. But after that, failure after failure happens and the team crashes after being defeated by FURIA with a score of 1:2.

A month of rest obviously did not benefit G2 Esports, as the team again lost to FURIA, but now in the quarterfinals of Intel Extreme Masters XVII - Dallas. The next weeks of intense training ends with hopes after getting into the TOP-4 at BLAST Premier: Spring Finals 2022, but all dreams of whitewashing your name are broken at the final tournament of the first half of the season - Intel Extreme Masters XVII - Cologne.

As a result, it became clear to the management of the organization that changes were needed. At first, Carlos Rodriguez jokingly denied the first rumors, but a day later there was official confirmation - Aleksib was leaving G2 Esports. However, the Wheel of Samsara seems to have finally spun, because after the captain, JACKZ also got up to the exit, namely the main leader of the team.

Reasons for the failure of G2 Esports

First of all, the difference in the vision of the game is striking. If Aleksib is inclined to a well-balanced style, then the Kovacs brothers are those who still like to shoot and make a difference from the void. In many ways, G2 Esports began to regress due to excessive control on the part of the captain, who literally tied the hands of his leaders, trying to build his own structure.

But if at the start of the season the team still managed to do at least something (after all, you should not forget about the honeymoon), then in the spring the first difficulties began. So here, too, many competitors learned the tactical delights of G2 Esports, even if the NiKo factor still made itself felt in important matches.

It turned out to be something between individuality and strict discipline, tied to following the original plan. However, this very plan often did not work, and coupled with the dependence on shooting and the need to play for the team, it turned out to be an unpleasant story, saturated with setbacks and unnecessary defeats.

Are there options for G2 Esports?

By tradition, there are not many free captains on the market who are ready to immediately strengthen the team. The most talked about option is Boombl4, which has already hinted at a visit to Europe to "deal with important issues". Another point is that behind the back of the former captain of NAVI, not the most pleasant story stretches, although, in fairness, ocelote loves any hype.

Perhaps the most logical option is to sign HooXi. The Dane has made a name for himself in the Copenhagen Flames, and the organization itself can give away its captain for nothing.

An interesting and at the same time illogical option is tabseN. The all-time captain of BIG has proven himself to be a strong leader both in and out of the game. However, the German organization is unlikely to want to part with one of its main assets. Moreover, the German himself feels good, and probably does not want to leave his familiar place.

We've dealt with the captains, and who's next? G2 Esports is vacating the position of JACKZ, who for almost four years has been the team's founding player (that is, a defensive midfielder). It is unlikely that the organization will look for a player by position, since in the light of recent trends it is much easier to adjust to the new way along with the captain who has come.

First of all, the candidacy of jks flashes by, who has clearly sat on the bench at Complexity Gaming, but is not ready to endure a strong decrease in wages. Moreover, the Australian successfully broke into Katowice for FaZe Clan, but after the victory in Poland he never found a new home.

Another interesting option could be signing rigoN, who, together with Bad News Eagles, became a real star at the recent PGL Major Antwerp 2022. At the same time, the 22-year-old Swiss (Kosovar) player is available completely free of charge, but he also shoots - be healthy.

The third option is Spinx, who seems to be about to leave ENCE, but where? Recently, there was news about Vitality's interest in the Israeli, but G2 Esports has no less financial opportunities.

In any case, this "transfer window" will be interesting to watch. G2 Esports will definitely not be stingy with money and will certainly fight for top players. Another point - will the team be able to return to the category of the strongest, or maybe NiKo will again try to try on the role of captain? We will find out the answer to these and other questions over the next few weeks.