read more<\/p>\n
![\"Thorin:](\"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55430663079_115c795d37_k.jpg.webp\")
\n <\/a>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Thorin: \u201cI think donk will follow s1mple\u2019s path\u201d <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/article> <\/div>\n<\/div>\nA new stage in Astralis<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe move to Astralis became only NEO\u2019s second coaching job at the top level, although he has long been part of Counter-Strike as both a player and a coach. According to him, the new environment feels fresh: different people, different personalities, and a different approach to the game.<\/p>\n
It was really nice and refreshing to be in a new environment with different personalities, to get to know everyone as people and as players. I like what I see, the team has huge potential, there is definitely a lot of work to do, but it feels good to be back.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this is an important moment. The team already has a formed structure, but still does not look fully stable. That is why NEO\u2019s arrival is not just a replacement in the coaching position, but an attempt to add system, experience, and a new view of the game.<\/p>\n
Working with HooXi after karrigan<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO separately focused on the connection between coach and IGL. In FaZe, he worked with karrigan, and that was his only experience of cooperating with a captain in his coaching career. Now the situation is different: in Astralis, he needs to build mutual understanding with HooXi.<\/p>\n
During my coaching career, I worked with only one IGL, and the coach works most closely with the captain. I knew only karrigan\u2019s approach. Now I am working with HooXi, getting to know him, he has a different approach, different ways of solving situations, and I am learning from that too.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is one of the key details for Astralis\u2019 future. If NEO quickly finds common ground with HooXi, the team may gain a clearer structure. If the adaptation takes longer, inconsistent results may remain a problem for several more tournaments.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PGL-Cluj-Napoca-2025-GS-Day-3-Part-7-8.jpg\")
Photo Copyright by PGL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe results are not ideal yet<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO honestly admits that the start with Astralis was not perfect. The team managed to qualify for the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2, but also had unsuccessful moments in other matches. The coach himself does not dramatize the situation, but he also does not exaggerate the progress.<\/p>\n
The path so far has not been terrible, but it has not been ideal either. There is definitely room for improvement, and the potential is visible. We simply have a lot of work ahead of us.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is a very restrained but telling assessment. NEO is not selling a quick fairy tale about Astralis instantly turning into a trophy contender. He talks about a process in which the team must gradually become more stable, better understand new ideas, and transfer them from practice into official matches.<\/p>\n
Cache as an additional plus for NEO<\/strong><\/h2>\nInterestingly, NEO also commented on the return of Cache. For him, this map is not something new, as he knows it well from previous stages of Counter-Strike. In his opinion, although CS2 has added new details, the basic logic of the map remains very familiar.<\/p>\n
There are new approaches thanks to the skybox, but it is quite funny to see strategies from ten years ago being used again. It is nice that Cache is back in the map pool, I always liked this map. It is simple, so it is enjoyable to play.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this may be a small advantage. While some younger players have limited official experience on Cache, NEO can help the team understand positions, timings, and basic scenarios on the map faster.<\/p>\n\n
\n read more<\/p>\n
\n \n <\/div>\n
A new stage in Astralis<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe move to Astralis became only NEO\u2019s second coaching job at the top level, although he has long been part of Counter-Strike as both a player and a coach. According to him, the new environment feels fresh: different people, different personalities, and a different approach to the game.<\/p>\n
It was really nice and refreshing to be in a new environment with different personalities, to get to know everyone as people and as players. I like what I see, the team has huge potential, there is definitely a lot of work to do, but it feels good to be back.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this is an important moment. The team already has a formed structure, but still does not look fully stable. That is why NEO\u2019s arrival is not just a replacement in the coaching position, but an attempt to add system, experience, and a new view of the game.<\/p>\n
Working with HooXi after karrigan<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO separately focused on the connection between coach and IGL. In FaZe, he worked with karrigan, and that was his only experience of cooperating with a captain in his coaching career. Now the situation is different: in Astralis, he needs to build mutual understanding with HooXi.<\/p>\n
During my coaching career, I worked with only one IGL, and the coach works most closely with the captain. I knew only karrigan\u2019s approach. Now I am working with HooXi, getting to know him, he has a different approach, different ways of solving situations, and I am learning from that too.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is one of the key details for Astralis\u2019 future. If NEO quickly finds common ground with HooXi, the team may gain a clearer structure. If the adaptation takes longer, inconsistent results may remain a problem for several more tournaments.<\/p>\nPhoto Copyright by PGL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe results are not ideal yet<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO honestly admits that the start with Astralis was not perfect. The team managed to qualify for the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2, but also had unsuccessful moments in other matches. The coach himself does not dramatize the situation, but he also does not exaggerate the progress.<\/p>\n
The path so far has not been terrible, but it has not been ideal either. There is definitely room for improvement, and the potential is visible. We simply have a lot of work ahead of us.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is a very restrained but telling assessment. NEO is not selling a quick fairy tale about Astralis instantly turning into a trophy contender. He talks about a process in which the team must gradually become more stable, better understand new ideas, and transfer them from practice into official matches.<\/p>\n
Cache as an additional plus for NEO<\/strong><\/h2>\nInterestingly, NEO also commented on the return of Cache. For him, this map is not something new, as he knows it well from previous stages of Counter-Strike. In his opinion, although CS2 has added new details, the basic logic of the map remains very familiar.<\/p>\n
There are new approaches thanks to the skybox, but it is quite funny to see strategies from ten years ago being used again. It is nice that Cache is back in the map pool, I always liked this map. It is simple, so it is enjoyable to play.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this may be a small advantage. While some younger players have limited official experience on Cache, NEO can help the team understand positions, timings, and basic scenarios on the map faster.<\/p>\n\n
\n read more<\/p>\n
\n \n <\/div>\n
It was really nice and refreshing to be in a new environment with different personalities, to get to know everyone as people and as players. I like what I see, the team has huge potential, there is definitely a lot of work to do, but it feels good to be back.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this is an important moment. The team already has a formed structure, but still does not look fully stable. That is why NEO\u2019s arrival is not just a replacement in the coaching position, but an attempt to add system, experience, and a new view of the game.<\/p>\n
Working with HooXi after karrigan<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO separately focused on the connection between coach and IGL. In FaZe, he worked with karrigan, and that was his only experience of cooperating with a captain in his coaching career. Now the situation is different: in Astralis, he needs to build mutual understanding with HooXi.<\/p>\n
During my coaching career, I worked with only one IGL, and the coach works most closely with the captain. I knew only karrigan\u2019s approach. Now I am working with HooXi, getting to know him, he has a different approach, different ways of solving situations, and I am learning from that too.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is one of the key details for Astralis\u2019 future. If NEO quickly finds common ground with HooXi, the team may gain a clearer structure. If the adaptation takes longer, inconsistent results may remain a problem for several more tournaments.<\/p>\nPhoto Copyright by PGL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe results are not ideal yet<\/strong><\/h2>\nNEO honestly admits that the start with Astralis was not perfect. The team managed to qualify for the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2, but also had unsuccessful moments in other matches. The coach himself does not dramatize the situation, but he also does not exaggerate the progress.<\/p>\n
The path so far has not been terrible, but it has not been ideal either. There is definitely room for improvement, and the potential is visible. We simply have a lot of work ahead of us.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is a very restrained but telling assessment. NEO is not selling a quick fairy tale about Astralis instantly turning into a trophy contender. He talks about a process in which the team must gradually become more stable, better understand new ideas, and transfer them from practice into official matches.<\/p>\n
Cache as an additional plus for NEO<\/strong><\/h2>\nInterestingly, NEO also commented on the return of Cache. For him, this map is not something new, as he knows it well from previous stages of Counter-Strike. In his opinion, although CS2 has added new details, the basic logic of the map remains very familiar.<\/p>\n
There are new approaches thanks to the skybox, but it is quite funny to see strategies from ten years ago being used again. It is nice that Cache is back in the map pool, I always liked this map. It is simple, so it is enjoyable to play.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
For Astralis, this may be a small advantage. While some younger players have limited official experience on Cache, NEO can help the team understand positions, timings, and basic scenarios on the map faster.<\/p>\n\n
\n read more<\/p>\n
\n \n <\/div>\n
During my coaching career, I worked with only one IGL, and the coach works most closely with the captain. I knew only karrigan\u2019s approach. Now I am working with HooXi, getting to know him, he has a different approach, different ways of solving situations, and I am learning from that too.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n
This is one of the key details for Astralis\u2019 future. If NEO quickly finds common ground with HooXi, the team may gain a clearer structure. If the adaptation takes longer, inconsistent results may remain a problem for several more tournaments.<\/p>\n NEO honestly admits that the start with Astralis was not perfect. The team managed to qualify for the LAN stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2, but also had unsuccessful moments in other matches. The coach himself does not dramatize the situation, but he also does not exaggerate the progress.<\/p>\n The path so far has not been terrible, but it has not been ideal either. There is definitely room for improvement, and the potential is visible. We simply have a lot of work ahead of us.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n This is a very restrained but telling assessment. NEO is not selling a quick fairy tale about Astralis instantly turning into a trophy contender. He talks about a process in which the team must gradually become more stable, better understand new ideas, and transfer them from practice into official matches.<\/p>\n Interestingly, NEO also commented on the return of Cache. For him, this map is not something new, as he knows it well from previous stages of Counter-Strike. In his opinion, although CS2 has added new details, the basic logic of the map remains very familiar.<\/p>\n There are new approaches thanks to the skybox, but it is quite funny to see strategies from ten years ago being used again. It is nice that Cache is back in the map pool, I always liked this map. It is simple, so it is enjoyable to play.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n For Astralis, this may be a small advantage. While some younger players have limited official experience on Cache, NEO can help the team understand positions, timings, and basic scenarios on the map faster.<\/p>\n\n read more<\/p>\n The results are not ideal yet<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Cache as an additional plus for NEO<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"BC.Game](\"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Donut_PGL_gaz66-01610-1.jpg.webp\")
\n <\/a>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n \n