- Vitality's captain and in-game leader apEX returns to the team's active lineup before IEM Katowice 2021.
- XTQZZZ had dropped apEX from Vitality's roster on 9 Feb due to him facing stress, burnout, and personal problems.
- Just a week later apEX has joined Vitality once again, the announcement coming hours before they are scheduled to go up against OG.
French esports organization Team Vitality’s in-game leader and captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire has returned to the active lineup for the currently ongoing IEM Katowice 2021. The 27-year-old had taken an indefinite break from competitive CS:GO on Feb 9, after Vitality had dropped down to the lower bracket of BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2021. According to an earlier statement released by Vitality, their head coach Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam had stated that apEX was taking a break “due to personal reasons”. Now just a week later apEX has announced his return to lead Vitality, few hours before they are scheduled to go up against OG in their opening match of ‘Group-B’.
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Vitality apEX returns to CS:GO
The French IGL apEX has returned to his responsibilities and is ready to lead Vitality once again at the prestigious IEM Katowice 2021. The announcement comes barely 3 hours before Vitality is scheduled to go up against OG in their opening match of the tournament.
On Feb 9, Vitality’s head coach through a long public statement had announced the departure of apEX citing the reasons as a mixture of stress, burnout, and most importantly personal problems that the 27-year-old was facing. To give him some breathing space the decision was made by XTQZZZ.
It did affect Vitality’s performance in the lower bracket of BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2021, as they faced a close ‘2-1’ defeat against Evil Geniuses. But an early exit from the tournament was not frowned upon and the organization took one to the chin without any excuses.
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IEM Katowice 2021 is one of the most important CS:GO tournaments of the year and Vitality want to keep their best foot forward. So apEX decided to step up for his side and give them a proper fighting chance at the $1,000,000 USD CS:GO tournament.
The team is all set to take center stage a few hours later today itself against OG. Overall Vitality in ‘Group-B’ is up against some tough teams like a revamped FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, FURIA, NIP, the defending champions Na’Vi, and VP. It is not going to be an easy role, but with apEX back in the driver’s seat Vitality have a good chance of turning back to form.
