FNC Upset: “We do not understand game states that well, what is necessary to be done.”

With another loss on the board, FNC must win the next series to stay alive at Worlds. We spoke with FNC Upset after the match against BLG to hear why the team is struggling and his solo queue experience in China.

Davide: I know it won’t feel good to get another loss.

What did you guys discuss after the series yesterday?

Upset: Yesterday we probably should have thought more about the Sion, especially against CFO. We thought that if we had Ezreal and Taliyah, our DPS would’ve been quite consistent if the game went somewhat even. But the Sion got two solo kills in this game and was very fed.

It would’ve been hard anyway because I think Sion already is a very strong meta champion right now. So probably there was a different way we could have chosen our champions. We thought it would be somewhat okay because we had a lot of range, but we ended up having a very hard time against the Sion who got very fat.

Davide: Some people have been discussing about the drafts, like the whole draft process or the draft decisions.

Can you elaborate more on that?

Upset: Yesterday our early game was quite difficult, champion wise, and there was not really a good swap opportunity because they also had the Sion and Sion is very hard to play against in swap scenarios because he’s so tanky.

spotted poby's parents in the crowd today 🥹🧡 pic.twitter.com/THjfN17qoM

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) October 16, 2025

So we tried to go for a little bit more aggressive bot lane today. Obviously we had some mistakes, but we also did some good plays and we got some advantages. I think we would have needed to snowball it a lot more with how the whole map was playing out.

Davide: Was the Morgana support prepared? Did you guys expect to go with Morgana support? We know that it’s a good pairing with Caitlyn in the bot lane, but it’s usually not being played in pro play.

Upset: Yeah, we didn’t necessarily play that much, but in this meta it’s a lot about hard engage. So we felt like Morgana could be a good answer to the engage.

Davide: By watching these two games today, like yesterday and today, it felt like you guys have a little bit of struggles in being very proactive in the early game. Do you think this is Fnatic’s biggest weakness right now?

Whenever you guys have these issues in the early game, is it more about having the execution plan not being very clear, or is it more that you guys have struggles at adapting to the enemies, which usually adapt themselves to your game plan?

Upset: Yes, I think that is by far the biggest problem.

We do not understand game states that well what is necessary to be done. And I think we lack a lot of proactivity. We are too focused on our own game, let’s say, and not seeing the bigger picture, I think.

Davide: How does it feel to play against Shadow? Because obviously it’s been a long time. He was in EU back in 2020 when you were playing for Origin. He was playing for MAD at that time.

But how does it feel to be back here, both of you?

Upset: I mean, he was a big talent in Europe. What I remember most about him was his Lee Sin. He was very, very good at it. So I’m very happy for him that he found a home in BLG and that he seems to be doing very well.

Davide: I’ve been asking players basically their top five rankings from their role.

I want to make it a little bit harder for you: I just want one name why.

Upset: Basically, yeah, if I would have to pick one, it’s between Ruler or Viper for me. But if I have to choose one, I would say Viper. I think both are really amazing, but Viper is maybe a little bit more consistent in teamfights.

Davide: Now you’re 0-2, it’s basically do-or-die moment.

Which team between MKOI, VKS and the loser between HLE and PSG would you like to face in such an important series?

Upset: I don’t really have any preference because I think it’s just important that we play well together. And so far I think we haven’t shown anything to be proud of at the tournament, so I don’t really have any favorite. It would suck if we have to play against EU because obviously I want the other EU teams to do as well as possible and [playing each other means] one of us would need to go home, so probably another region.

is EU the sacrifice the worlds song was talking about https://t.co/dIalzKuQNl

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) October 16, 2025

Davide: You also previously said in an interview that you enjoyed a lot playing soloqueue here and it seems to be a common trend among Western players. I’ve talked to Supa, I’ve talked to Myrwn earlier today and both of them said that they really enjoy playing in China.

What do you think is the biggest difference between EUW solo queue and then Chinese solo queue?

Upset: I think the players are just way better and it seems that all also more people are playing so you get more games so just more better players.

Davide: Does it have to do with the aggressiveness? I know you’re usually more of a conservative, safer player. I’m not sure how that translates also into solo queue.

Do you think that’s something that has to do with one of the two differences, like difference between the regions?

Upset: No, I mean I don’t really see myself as more passive player, so I just really enjoy it here. I think they are more aggressive but they’re just better because usually it means they see more opportunities and they choose to also take more risks. But yeah, for me solo queue is really fun.

Davide: Last question is about Worlds songs.

How do you rate this year’s Worlds song and, if you had to choose one, which one would you pick as your favorite?

Upset: I’m not sure which year it was. I think it was RISE my favorite. I think [this year’s] quite good, I like it.

Davide: Some people have said like it’s a little bit on the softer. It’s not very hype.

Do you agree with that statement?

Upset: I think taste is very subjective so I enjoy it. I’m not sure. Just to each their own eggs.

One last message to the Fnatic fans?

Upset: [It] really sucks to be 0-2 right now. I can assure you that we are having also not a good time being in the situation, so sorry for the results and we are going to try to figure out as much as we can these days to show a better performance next match. And yeah, that’s all we can do, sorry guys.