The glittering lights of the Riyadh Masters 2025, one of Dota 2`s most prestigious tournaments, shone brightly on the semifinal stage. For PARIVISION and their carry player, Alan “Satanic” Gallyamov, however, those lights abruptly dimmed following a decisive 0:2 defeat against the formidable Team Spirit. In a candid post-match interview, Satanic offered an unvarnished look at the heartbreak, the critical missteps, and the relentless nature of high-stakes competitive play.
High Hopes Dashed: A Disappointing Outcome
“Not what we expected. I thought we would win,” Satanic confessed, his words echoing the universal disappointment of a team that believed in its chances. The sting of defeat was palpable, especially when reflecting on a series that felt, at least on paper, within their grasp. “We lost very offensively,” he added, a sentiment familiar to anyone who has tasted defeat born from self-inflicted wounds.
The Second Game: A `100% Winnable` Nightmare
The second map of the series became the focal point of Satanic`s reflections. It was, by his team`s own assessment, a game they “should have 100% won.” The narrative of the loss reads like a cautionary tale for aspiring professionals: a strong early game, a clear path to victory, only to be undone by a series of critical errors.
The High Ground Conundrum
The turning point, as Satanic described it, was the ill-fated push onto Team Spirit’s high ground. “I don`t know why we went on high ground,” he admitted, highlighting a crucial departure from their established strategy. “Somehow we forgot our concept. We talked about it a lot – that we would overfarm the types, just build up the maximum advantage we could.” This abandonment of a calculated, patient approach for an aggressive, perhaps premature, push proved fatal.
The misplay was compounded by a specific in-game blunder involving the Lotus Orb. “We made a mistake with Lotus Orb – it was given to me. I said: `I will hit, you can give me Lotus Orb` – or something like that,” Satanic recalled. In the chaotic heat of battle, what seemed like a minor miscommunication or misjudgment spiraled. “In short, they just burst Death Prophet, and it turned out that Collapse killed me – it was bad luck, I almost got a Rampage there. In the end it turned out [badly]: we were all killed, and then the game was already 50/50.” This single sequence, a confluence of poor execution and a touch of misfortune, shifted the momentum irrevocably.
Roshan and Split-Push Woes
Beyond the high-ground debacle, other tactical missteps emerged. PARIVISION`s errors extended to Roshan engagements, and they struggled to contain Team Spirit`s relentless split-pushing strategy. These moments, often subtle in isolation, collectively chipped away at their advantage, demonstrating how seemingly minor oversights can accumulate into a devastating loss in high-level Dota 2.
The Elusive Hand of Luck
“Doesn`t it seem to you that Spirit was lucky in some moments?” the interviewer probed. Satanic`s response was pragmatic, yet tinged with the frustration that often accompanies near-misses. “Of course, they were lucky. `Dota` is a game about luck, not just skill. Whether Nature`s Prophet flies away at 0.1 or not – something like that. `Dota` is obviously connected to luck, you can`t deny anything here.” While acknowledging the role of fortune, it`s clear this wasn`t an excuse, but rather an observation on the inherent unpredictability of the game at its highest level.
One might wonder if “luck” serves as a convenient philosophical cushion in the brutal aftermath of competitive esports. Yet, in Dota 2, where milliseconds and pixel-perfect plays dictate outcomes, the fine line between calculated risk and sheer happenstance is often blurred. Perhaps it is indeed the capricious nature of the game that keeps players perpetually on edge, chasing an elusive perfection.
The Nature`s Prophet Non-Issue and Collapse`s Dominance
A common post-match inquiry often revolves around hero picks. When asked why Nature`s Prophet was conceded in both maps, Satanic`s answer was direct: “Nature`s Prophet was not the problem, we just threw ourselves.” This self-critique underscores a crucial insight: sometimes, the opponent`s strategy is less impactful than a team`s own internal failings. He elaborated that the first map`s draft was genuinely challenging due to aggressive pushes, but the second map`s draft was “super working” – reinforcing the belief that the loss stemmed from execution, not composition.
Amidst the introspection, Satanic did not shy away from crediting Team Spirit`s standout performance, particularly that of Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov. “Primal Beast did a lot in the game – he stole Aegis twice, and killed everyone,” Satanic noted, a testament to Collapse`s impactful plays. “Collapse just entered the zone and won – well done.” It’s a moment of professional respect, acknowledging a peer who rose to the occasion and delivered under pressure.
Looking Ahead: The Battle for Third Place
While the dream of the Riyadh Masters 2025 grand final is now behind them, PARIVISION`s journey is not entirely over. The team is set to compete for third place on July 19th. This upcoming match, though not for the ultimate title, offers a crucial opportunity for redemption, to end their tournament run on a positive note, and to apply the lessons learned from their semifinal heartbreak. In the unforgiving world of competitive Dota 2, every match is a chance to refine, adapt, and return stronger.
