VIT Vetheo: "With this roster, we should never be in this position, that's on us."

Vitality's Vetheo, playing in the LEC 2024 Summer Season.

"I have a lot of hope for this team. I just hope we can show how great we can be next week."

The season is heating up, and Team Vitality now finds itself with its back against the wall after losing to both GIANTX and Karmine Corp in Week 3 of the LEC 2024 Summer Season. Despite the recent poor results, Vetheo (Vincent Berrié) sat down for an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports to delve into the team's underperformance. In this piece, the midlaner discusses the reasons behind the recent results and affirms that Vitality has more tricks up its sleeve than it may appear...

After a loss to Karmine Corp, Vitality now stands at 2-5. How do you feel after this match?

Vincent "Vetheo" Berrié: "I’m mostly disappointed in ourselves and in myself. We shouldn't be in this position with the level we can play at. It's just frustrating honestly.

How have the team's scrims been going leading up to this match? Were you performing better in scrims compared to your stage performance this week?

Vetheo: This week's scrims were better than the previous ones. I mean, we probably won almost every early game and won two games last week on stage, so there must be a problem somewhere. I think there is a problem in our mid-game and some other stuff. We worked a lot on this, and it got way better in scrims. I'm just frustrated that we can't show it. But I'm confident in our team and the level we can play at. I just hope we can show it in playoffs.

How do you feel about facing G2 and SK next week? Does today's result add more pressure to perform well?

Vetheo: I mean, yeah, it kinda does, which is sad because we haven't lost to G2 this year yet. We also took down SK twice in a row during the playoffs in winter and spring. I'm not scared though. We can beat both of those teams; I'm very confident about that. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. We'll focus on ourselves and simply hope that our hard work will pay off next week.

Lyncas and Vetheo after a victory in Week 2 of the LEC. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

What are your thoughts on Lyncas and his integration into the team, given that some people are blaming him for the team's underperformance?

Vetheo: I think his integration into the team has been really good. He's a rookie playing one of the hardest roles in the game, so it takes time. I don't think it's fair to blame him because none of our players have played at the level we should. I think that we as the veterans should be held accountable for being in such a position, not the rookies like him. He's doing a wonderful job with how hard he works and how much he wants to be part of the team. We just need some time.

Are there positives you can take from this week? Do you think these defeats might serve as a wake-up call for the team to improve next week?

Vetheo: No, I don't think so. I don't think we need a wake-up call or anything. The weaknesses we showed today were already there, and we know it. It's a difficult part of the game that we just need to get better at. There are some things we saw that we can already improve on, but I don't think we needed a reminder. I think the first week served as more of a wake-up call than anything. Right now, we just have to do our best in a limited period of time. But I don't think the result matters that much. If we had gone 2-0, we wouldn't have worked less on what we're bad at, so it doesn't change anything.

Do you feel that the format, with only nine games in the group stage, adds more pressure on you to perform? Do you think your team deserves to find itself in this precarious position or is the format partly to blame?

Vetheo: Well, I don't think the format is good, but I don't want to defer the blame on external factors. Everyone and everything can always be better, you know? We would have faced pressure at some point in the season, no matter the format, so getting it now doesn't change anything. With the team we have, we should never be in this position, and that's on us. We just have to show that we are better than the standings.

Vetheo, competing on the LEC stage during Week 3. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

Did the rivalry with Karmine Corp make today's match more stressful for you?

Vetheo: No, I think if you really care about who you're playing against, you will lose at some point, no matter who it is. So, it's just one game like any other. The result was important because of the standings, but it could have been any team. I don't feel like there's any rivalry right now because both teams are struggling. We just have to get good, and then maybe there will be a rivalry.

Do you have anything to say to the people who still support you and help you through these tough times?

Vetheo: I mean, as always, I know especially in hard times like this, people will talk a lot and players will receive a lot of messages, but the most important thing is that fans and supporters know that no matter the results or how it ends, we will always give our best and do everything we can. That's what we will keep doing and that's what we've always done. I have a lot of hope for this team and this roster. I just hope we'll do better and can show how great we can be."

Header Photo Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games