Updated on March 12, 11:53 p.m. (GMT+8): Updated title.
A fascinating narrative is unfolding with EVOS Glory in MPL Indonesia Season 13.
The White Tigers, known for their ferocious gameplay, is undergoing a transformation that seems to draw inspiration from one of football’s most revered and controversial figures, Jose Mourinho.
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For too long, EVOS Glory has hungered for the MPL ID title, a victory that has eluded them since Season 7.
Known for their aggressive playstyle, characterized by roamers and junglers who dazzle with individual brilliance and outplays, the team is now charting a new course.
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Under the guidance of Filipino coach John “Theo” Eusebio and the infusion of fresh talents like Silvan “VAN” Vanness, Jon “Super Red” Bordeos, and Rizky “Warlord” Agustian, they are undergoing a complete 180-degree turnaround.
How EVOS Glory’s new approach mirrors Mourinho’s masterclass
This seismic shift in EVOS Glory’s strategy brings to mind the pragmatic philosophy of Jose Mourinho, a figure synonymous with tactical genius in the world of football.
Mourinho, often seen as the antithesis of the beautiful, fluid football epitomized by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, is a master of disruption.
His approach is simple yet revolutionary — focus on neutralizing the opponent’s strengths through whatever means necessary, even if those methods are not the most aesthetically pleasing.
It’s about results, not style points.
Mourinho’s tenure at Inter Milan during the 2009/10 season is a case in point. The Special One orchestrated one of the most dramatic squad overhauls, parting ways with high-profile names like Luis Figo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and bringing in what many considered to be unworthy replacements.
Yet, against all odds and skepticism, his Inter side clinched the treble, besting footballing giants like Barcelona and Bayern Munich with a “park the bus” strategy that prioritized pragmatic play over flair.
EVOS Glory’s new direction under coach Theo seems to draw inspiration from Mourinho’s playbook. By moving away from their traditionally aggressive, playmaker-centric strategy to one that emphasizes tactical flexibility and team cohesion, EVOS is signaling a readiness to adapt and overcome — much like Mourinho’s Inter.
At the Hope Cup, glimpses of this transformation were evident.
While their performance might not have been the spectacle many hoped for, losing early games and eventually falling to ONIC Prodigy and Bigetron Alpha, something was brewing beneath the surface.
Amidst these setbacks, EVOS Glory began to unveil a playstyle marked by patience, precision, and an unyielding focus on objectives.
Vann, the team’s jungler, epitomizes this shift. Moving away from the spotlight-seeking, carry-centric play of his counterparts, Vann zeroes in on objectives with a precision that belies his often unremarkable KDA.
His ability to create space and his pivotal role in the team’s semifinal victory against Bigetron through split pushing are testaments to a player fully committed to the team’s strategy.
The same can be said for Super Red, the gold laner whose passivity and patience are not signs of weakness but of a player biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
This approach is mirrored across the team, with perhaps only Veldora adopting a more aggressive stance, albeit one that is still deeply entwined with the team’s overarching strategy.
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As the MPL ID S13 unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how this strategy plays out for the White Tigers. Will this bold move bring them the glory they’ve been chasing? Or will it be a lesson in the harsh realities of strategic gambles?
Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain: in the world of competitive gaming, as in football, innovation and adaptability are often the keys to outlasting and outplaying the enemy.
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