“Bot Gap” Spells Defeat for Fnatic Against LOUD at Worlds 2022
The match between Fnatic and LOUD at the 2022 League of Legends World Championship can be summed up in two words: “bot gap.”
The CBLoL representatives, LOUD, delivered a dominant performance that left a lasting impact both in the Arena Esports Stadium and on social media. While Fnatic remains at the top of Group A, this loss marks their first in the play-ins stage. The team struggled, particularly in their bot lane, which has been instrumental in their previous victories. LOUD’s rookies seized this opportunity to shine.
The Power of “Bot Gap”
LOUD’s bot lane duo, Brance and Ceos, once again opted for their tried-and-true combination of Miss Fortune and Amumu. With assistance from mid laner Tinowns and jungler Croc, Ceos expertly immobilized Fnatic’s carries, securing an early lead for the Brazilian team. Brance even went so far as to write “Bot Gap” on his arm before the match, confidently predicting their success.
Ceos tirelessly supported Brance, using bandage tosses and ultimates to lockdown Fnatic’s players, while Brance unleashed devastating attacks. Even when Fnatic tried to engage Brance, Ceos intervened, allowing Brance to deal damage without fear. This dynamic duo achieved an impressive 10/3/21 KDA as Fnatic’s nexus was destroyed, denying Fnatic’s star duo, Upset and Hyllisang, the opportunity to carry their team.
Enemy Turrets Are Mere Suggestions
While the main battle unfolded in the bot lane, LOUD’s top laner, Robo, quietly scaled in power. Fnatic struggled to shut him down as Aatrox, Robo’s champion of choice. This marked Robo’s fourth unique champion pick at Worlds, highlighting his versatility among the world’s best top laners.
Robo’s champion, Aatrox, possessed remarkable healing capabilities, allowing him to initiate fights and deal massive damage. When Fnatic appeared to be recuperating near their turrets, Robo encouraged LOUD to engage once more. Fnatic’s attempts to focus Robo backfired, as he simply healed off the damage and welcomed his teammates into the fray.
Although Robo didn’t secure additional kills, his frontline presence enabled Brance to unleash even more damage on the enemy team, showcasing the rookie ADC’s potential in his first Worlds appearance.
LOUD now aims to carry this momentum into their upcoming match against Chiefs Esports Club from the LCO. If they secure another victory, LOUD could advance to the final two days of play-ins and become the first CBLoL team to qualify for the group stage.