Before the Play-In stage of MSI 2024 officially began, T1 was predicted to be the team that could advance early from this round. The reason is simple: compared to all their opponents, T1 is simply too “outclassed”. They are the reigning World Champions and narrowly lost to Gen.G in the LCK Spring 2024 finals. Moreover, T1 at international tournaments is a very different T1. The more underestimated they are, the stronger they become. T1 is also the only team to have made it to two consecutive World Championship finals from 2022 until now.
Therefore, T1’s progression through the Play-In stage after just 2 matches was anticipated by most League of Legends fans. However, now that T1 has stepped into the group stage of MSI 2024, even though they have played somewhat “chill” in their recent matches, they remain a force to be reckoned with. Especially since last year, it was T1 who indirectly sent Gen.G home early by defeating the LCK champions. If T1 had played more meticulously, they could have made BLG “suffer” as well. Even though T1 defeated BLG at the 2023 World Championship, the “MSI grudge” may still not have faded away.
Hence, teams like Gen.G and BLG are likely the most worried names at MSI 2024 this year, as T1 has advanced to the group stage. Both teams are aiming for a Golden Road in 2024 and have completed 1/4 of the journey. Remember last year when JD Gaming only had the World Championship left to complete their first Golden Road in League of Legends history, it was T1 that stopped them. Therefore, if T1 wins MSI 2024, Gen.G and BLG’s Golden Road will immediately come to an end.
Of course, the Golden Road is one thing, but the power and mentality of T1 at international tournaments is what both “kings” of the LCK and LPL regions fear. Gen.G may have beaten T1 at the World Championship, but that was just a BO1. BLG may have a stronger lineup than last year, but Knight is also known for “choking” in crucial matches. No one can be sure that with these new changes, Gen.G or BLG can defeat T1 at MSI 2024 when facing Faker and his teammates.
T1 has the foundation and perhaps the determination to win MSI this year. They have completed the first step and sent a “challenge letter” to the other two teams. Not to mention, G2 Esports and Team Liquid are also ready to “block the road” and promise an explosive MSI as all the talents have nearly gathered in full.