LPL seems to want to “sacrifice” IG at this year’s Worlds
On October 14 (Vietnam time), T1 will kick off their Worlds 2025 campaign against a formidable rival – IG. Of course, if they can defeat T1 in the Play-In stage, LPL will have eliminated the team they fear most whenever Worlds comes around. However, it appears that this region doesn’t have much faith in IG, and a recent move is a prime example.
IG is the 4th seed of LPL and they are the first LPL team to face T1 in this year’s Worlds.
Accordingly, to prepare for Worlds 2025, LPL will have a special team selected from the highest-performing players at that time from various teams in LPL, except for those who have participated in Worlds. This lineup will also include coaches and analysts to help LPL teams have “practice dummies” for the tournament. The problem is: in 2025, Riot has changed the format and IG’s match will start on the 14th, but this special lineup will only officially come into play on the 15th.
LPL will have a separate practice team, but IG’s match starts before this lineup is used.
Thus, IG will have a hard time getting the chance to practice with this special lineup. Moreover, even if they could practice, the timing will be extremely tight for IG, and it’s uncertain if it will yield any significant results.
LPL Goes All Out to Win Worlds
Since EDG’s championship, LPL has sent strong teams to Worlds every year, but none have reached the pinnacle again. Notably, BLG is the only team expected to challenge strong opponents from LCK to bring prestige to Chinese League of Legends. In fact, BLG almost achieved this last year if not for some stellar moments from Faker.
IG will have to give their all.
This year, LPL shows even more determination. The teams sent to Worlds are currently strong, and they are receiving special training and utilizing every possible factor to rise to the throne. But for now, they must wait to see if IG can cause an “upheaval” or if they will continue to study how to defeat the “LPL’s Slayer” known as T1.