An interesting tale is taking place involving EVOS Glory in the 13th season of MPL Indonesia.
Known as the ‘White Tigers’ for their intense style of play, the team is going through a change that seems to be influenced by Jose Mourinho, one of soccer’s most respected and controversial individuals.
EVOS Glory has long craved the MPL ID title, a triumph that has evaded them since Season 7.
They are known for a fiercely competitive playing style, highlighted by roamers and junglers who impress with their singular skill and outmaneuvering, but the team is now planning a different route.
Under the leadership of Filipino coach John “Theo” Eusebio and with fresh talents like Silvan “VAN” Vanness, Jon “Super Red” Bordeos, and Rizky “Warlord” Agustian, they are undergoing a significant metamorphosis.
The way EVOS Glory’s new strategy reflects Mourinho’s master tactics
In the realm of football, the profound transformation in EVOS Glory’s tactics echoes the practical philosophy of Jose Mourinho, who is often identified with tactical ingenuity.
Mourinho, often viewed as the polar opposite of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, which personifies the beauty of free-flowing football, excels in causing havoc.
His approach is straightforward but groundbreaking — concentrate on nullifying the adversary’s strengths by any feasible means, even if these methods are not the most visually appealing. It’s the outcomes that count, not the style.
The 2009/10 season of Mourinho’s tenure at Inter Milan serves as a good example. The Special One conducted one of the most significant squad revamps, parting ways with big names such as Luis Figo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and bringing in seemingly unfit replacements.
Despite all uncertainties and doubts, his Inter side secured the triple, surpassing footballing powerhouses such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich with a “park the bus” strategy that valued functional play over fancy.
The new approach of EVOS Glory under coach Theo appears to draw from Mourinho’s textbook. Transitioning away from their typical aggressive, playmaker-centred strategy to one that emphasises tactical adaptability and team unity, EVOS is demonstrating their preparedness to adjust and overcome — much in the same way as Mourinho’s Inter.
Signs of this evolution were evident at the Hope Cup.
Although their showing may not have been the spectacular performance many had anticipated, with early defeats and eventually losing to ONIC Prodigy and Bigetron Alpha, something was slowly taking shape behind the scenes.
Despite these obstacles, EVOS Glory started to showcase a playing style defined by patience, accuracy, and a relentless focus on goals.
Vann, the team’s jungler, is emblematic of this shift. He is pivoting away from the show-stopping, carry-focused play of his peers and focusing on objectives with a precision that overshadows his often underwhelming KDA.
Vann’s ability to create space and his key contribution to the team’s semifinal victory against Bigetron through split pushing bear testimony to a player who is fully devoted to the team’s strategy.
The same can be stated for Super Red, the gold laner whose apparent passivity and patience aren’t indications of weakness, but evidence of a player patiently awaiting the perfect opportunity to make their move.
This methodology is reflected throughout the team, with perhaps only Veldora taking a somewhat more aggressive stance, but one that is still closely connected with the team’s overall plan.
As the MPL ID S13 continues, it will be intriguing to see how the White Tigers’ strategy plays out. Will this daring move lead them to the glory they’ve been pursuing? Or will it be a stark reminder of the hazards of strategic risks?
Only time will reveal the truth. However, one thing is sure: in the realm of esports, as in football, the ability to innovate and adapt often gives you the advantage over your opponents.
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