TL;DR
- MAD Lions secured their second consecutive victory at MSI 2021 with a hard-fought win over Istanbul Wildcats
- The European champions demonstrated superior macro play and objective control throughout the 37-minute match
- Critical Baron Nashor execution at 22 minutes proved decisive in breaking the deadlock
- Both teams showcased strategic diversity with contrasting champion compositions
- MAD Lions now lead Group B and face paiN Gaming next to maintain their flawless record
European powerhouse MAD Lions continued their dominant run at the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational, securing another decisive victory against Istanbul Wildcats during the second day of group stage competition.
Entering this matchup with significant momentum, MAD Lions were heavily favored following their impressive opening performance. Istanbul Wildcats had narrowly missed victory in their initial match against paiN Gaming after surrendering a substantial advantage in a high-stakes encounter. Attempting to recover from their disappointing start, the Turkish squad opted for conventional champion selections, but couldn’t match the strategic depth displayed by their European counterparts who appear significantly ahead of other Group B contenders.
The @MADLions_LoLEN go 2-0 in Group B! #MSI2021 pic.twitter.com/UCNjnMVVZN
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 7, 2021
During the drafting phase, both squads diverged from emerging meta priorities, selecting established Season 11 champions with proven track records. MAD Lions implemented an aggressive dive-oriented bottom lane combination featuring Nautilus and Kai’Sa, whereas Istanbul Wildcats constructed a more conservative team-fight oriented composition designed for late-game scaling potential.
With numerous familiar Season 11 picks deployed across the map, the most compelling individual duel emerged in the top lane. Istanbul Wildcats selected the aggressive Nocturne, prompting MAD Lions top laner İrfan “Armut” Tükek to counter with his renowned Wukong specialization, creating a fascinating clash of styles.
As anticipated, MAD Lions established early game control through swift bottom lane activity. Building upon their confidence-boosting performance against PSG Talon the previous day, support player Norman “Kaiser” Kaiser initiated an early Nautilus engagement that successfully secured first blood for bot laner Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság.
The initial bottom lane advantage failed to translate into snowballing momentum, instead triggering excessive aggression from the European side. Istanbul Wildcats capitalized on these missteps, maintaining game parity beyond reasonable expectations. Despite several unsuccessful initiatives, MAD Lions persisted in applying pressure against the Turkish representatives.
Just as MAD Lions appeared poised to seize complete control, Istanbul Wildcats executed a perfectly coordinated bottom lane team fight. Through exceptional synchronization, the Turkish squad achieved an unexpected ace that instantly rebalanced the match.
This pivotal engagement compelled MAD Lions to reassess their approach and adopt more calculated strategies while minimizing unnecessary risks. Despite mounting pressure, the LEC champions maintained composure and shifted focus toward objective dominance. At the 22-minute mark, MAD Lions identified the perfect Baron Nashor opportunity, resulting in four eliminations and securing the powerful buff.
The Baron empowerment sufficiently widened the gold differential, enabling MAD Lions to press their assault toward the enemy nexus. Istanbul Wildcats resisted fiercely, creating challenging situations through effective split-pushing and well-coordinated engagements. Ultimately, MAD Lions secured the necessary team fights to conclude the match after 37 intense minutes.
With this additional victory secured, MAD Lions now command the leading position in Group B. While paiN Gaming presents potential challenges to the Lions, current indications strongly favor the European representatives dominating the group.
MAD Lions will confront paiN Gaming on May 8th, aiming to preserve their unblemished record before the second round robin commences.
Strategic Insight: The match demonstrated MAD Lions’ ability to adapt mid-game when initial strategies faltered. Their decisive Baron call at 22 minutes exemplifies professional-level objective timing that aspiring teams should study in our Complete Guide to competitive gameplay fundamentals.
Common mistake to avoid: Over-aggression after securing early advantages often leads to throwing leads, as nearly happened here.
Action Checklist
- Analyze draft phase strategies and champion priorities
- Study objective control timing, particularly Baron Nashor calls
- Review team fight coordination and engagement positioning
- Compare early game strategies versus late game execution across regions
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » MAD Lions beat Istanbul Wildcats, stay undefeated at MSI 2021 MAD Lions maintain perfect MSI 2021 record with strategic victory over Istanbul Wildcats in 37-minute battle