Los Ratones Crownie: “I wondered if I was good enough for the LEC. I am.”
Los Ratones had a fantastic four-game win streak, and now Juš ‘Crownie’ Marušič is confident they can make the LEC Versus Playoffs.
Despite a crushing loss to Natus Vincere (NAVI), Los Ratones are strongly in LEC Playoffs contention following wins over Movistar KOI and G2 Esports.
ENUK spoke exclusively with Crownie about his LEC return and the hysteria that comes with playing for Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont’s team.
Cosmiserations for the NAVI result, that was a rough game. What went wrong in your opinion?
We had like a few plays in the game, but we had to execute better, and if you don’t, it’s cooked.
Like after the second Drake, we misplayed, we lost. I feel like then the game is just unplayable, the Ryze just takes over.
And yeah, I think our draft was just wrong and bad.
YamatoCannon said how well-coached NAVI are, and they seemed well prepared for you.
Yeah, I think they play very systematically, like the jungle invades camps with support, the support hovers their midlaner on site.
It’s not easy playing against them at all, for sure.
We had a draft that was very delicate; if they’re really close behind, the Ryze will just take over like he did.
I also think it’s easier for them to play fast because they have Ryze ult, Bard tunnels, and they were ahead, and our only global is Pantheon.
They were just pulling us apart, and we couldn’t get a foothold in the game. It was a rough game for sure.
It was a tough game, but you guys still had some massive wins. You’ve mentioned Los Ratones have found a style that works, what is it that is going well, and when did things click together?
Yeah, for sure, we found a good style, I think, and we kind of deviated in some ways from it today [vs NAVI].
But for sure, our scrims were already fine, but I think there was just a lot of nerves in Week One.
I think as long as we play what we’re good at and try to be on the same page, I think it can be good.
Talking of scrims, it’s been talked about how hard you’ve been working to get to this level. Plus the mood on the team was really low after how last season ended. The team has shown a lot of resilience, how were you able to overcome all of that and bounce back?
Yeah, that’s a good question. I would say we kind of know that this is a limited-time-only right, this LEC split.
So we’re just trying to make the best out of it, and everybody’s trying their hardest.
So it’s probably different from other teams. They have the whole year, we’re just trying to go 200 miles an hour now.
That’s what I would say is the biggest. So everybody’s really grinding, I would say. So yeah, that’s what I would attribute it to.
If you don’t mind me talking about your teammates for a second, Baus joked he didn’t listen to coaches last year, but how good is he actually, and how has it been watching his growth?
No, for sure. Shout out to him, because he’s been working really, really hard.
He’s been playing a lot of solo queue off-stream, playing a lot of 1v1s.
He’s been grinding the hardest in the team, and I’m sure it’s been the hardest for him.
The playstyle in LEC for top lane is very K’Sante, Rumble, tank, tank, tank. Very team-oriented, and he’s probably used to the complete opposite.
So for sure, it’s been really nice to see him, because he’s really trying.
But I think everyone, as I said, is really trying their hardest. But Baus is special because his playstyle is so unique, and to see it work is also really nice.
I also wanted to ask you about Rekkles’ playstyle too, because a lot has been said about that. What is it like playing with Rekkles as your support?
It’s very good, I think he’s very good at the ranged matchups. I think we’ve generally played well.
I think today I kind of misplayed. I thought we were going to go for a level 2 gank bot, and then we didn’t. And then I lost HP, and it was kind of hard.
But generally, I think we’ve done well in most lanes. And I think it was attributed to a lot of the experience we both have.
So it’s been really nice, for sure.
As you say, you’re a really experienced player. You had your revenge against Shifters, how does it feel doing really well on stage again, showing that you’re still at a high LEC level?
It’s nice yeah, but in best-of-ones, anything can happen.
As you saw, the first week, people think we’re horrible. And this week, it can really change week to week.
But I think the main thing is not letting the noise get to you too much.
It’s really important to stay true to yourself, know what works for you as a team. Try not to let the outside factors impact you too much.
But for sure, it feels good. Because I wondered all these years, when I wasn’t playing in the LEC, if I was good enough. I think I am good enough.
For sure, I have my faults, but I also have my strengths.
And it was a bit of vindication, because I beat my ex-teammates and org.
I’m glad you mentioned outside noise because that leads into my next question. Caedrel on stream a few weeks ago said that social media is at the worst point he’s seen in a long time. Everything is really extreme, how do you cope with all that pressure and extra eyes and attention on the team?
This is for sure the most I’ve been criticised, and I’ve been criticised a lot, but now it’s even more amplified.
We win, everybody is like ‘wooh!’ We lose, everybody is likebooing and throwing tomatoes.
It’s very extreme, but the support is very big too. And as I said, you try to limit the outside noise.
“I wondered all these years, when I wasn’t playing in the LEC, if I was good enough. I think I am good enough.”
Crownie, Los Ratones
It’s not easy all the time. But I feel like, yeah, you have to have like, what’s the word, resolve, I guess.
You trust yourself and your instincts, and then hopefully it’s okay.
I think we just have to focus on the two games we have left. And whatever happens, happens.
Looking forward now. You’ve picked up these huge wins over MKOI and G2 but also lost to KCB. You’ve had high highs and low lows. What level do you think Los Ratones are currently at?
I would say we’re like middle of the pack.
I think it heavily depends on draft. If we can play what we’re good at and the style we’re good at.
Yeah, so I would say somewhere in the middle of the pack. I hope we’re good enough to make Playoffs. We need to iron out some mistakes.
Obviously, next week will be super important. We probably need one more win, right?
We’ll just try our best.
Those two games are against Vitality and SK, two teams that have shown high highs but it’s best-of-ones. How do you feel about those match-ups and what are you going to work on next week?
I think Vitality is a very good team.
I feel like they have a tendency to throw, but I feel like they always get big leads.
And I would say early game is kind of our worst point. So we definitely need to care about that.
And SK, they play a bit different than other teams. So we need to be also sharp on that. But I’m sure we can get one win.
And it should be enough to qualify us if we try our best.
Jopa told us SK have also struggled in the early game and yet they had a really big lead vs GIANTX then threw, so I think it will be a really interesting matchup.
Yeah, I mean, it’s like either you struggle in the early game then throw. Or you don’t even get leads.
I mean, every team has different problems. That’s kind of how it always is in LEC.
It really depends game to game, draft to draft.
So you just have to move on quickly from game to game. And not let it linger too much in your mind, I think. And that’s pretty much it.
I know you want to focus on next week’s games, but Los Ratones have a good chance of making Playoffs. Do you think the team would cope well with multi-game series?
Yeah, I think we have some stuff prepared.
Like in best-of-ones, it’s always the same mid laners, always the same AD carries.
Especially the mid lane pool, it’s all like Orianna, Azir, Ryze, Orianna, Azir, Ryze.
And maybe one more, because some of them are banned. But the mid lane pool is very small.
But yeah, I think we’ll do well, but my head is focusing on getting there first. Because if it goes bad, we cannot make it. So I want to try and make it first.
But I’m really excited for best-of-threes, for sure.
Despite the unfortunate game today, you’ve had some good wins. Is the mood in the team still good and feeling confident into next week?
Yeah, I think we knew today’s game was hard. And some things went wrong. And then it was just hard, I think.
I think we brushed off the 0-3 week. So I’m sure we can brush this off now. I don’t think it’s that big of an issue.
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