“We haven't fully adapted yet”, — Saksa on playing with ATF

Team Yandex support player Martin Saksa Sazdov discussed how Ammar ATF Al-Assaf has influenced the team since joining. In an interview at BLAST Slam VIII, the player shared details about working with the new offlaner and explained how his arrival affected the distribution of responsibilities among the players.

Sazdov noted that the team has not fully adapted to the new player yet. According to him, some teammates are still hesitant to take enough initiative, while ATF tries not to interfere too much with the team's usual way of playing.

I feel like we're still lacking a bit of communication. I guess the guys haven't fully adapted yet. Maybe they're a little afraid to take up more space. So we're trying to talk more and remind everyone that they can be more proactive.

Saksa also shared his experience of playing with the new offlaner. Unlike Dmitry DM Dorokhin, ATF prefers to play aggressively in the lane and constantly put pressure on opponents. As a result, the support player had to rethink his usual approach to the game.

I've started pulling creep waves less and spending more time in the lane. I also pick fewer heroes that can quickly clear waves now, since Ammar can handle that.

Following The International 2026 and Team Falcons' departure from Dota 2, ATF joined Team Yandex, replacing DM in the offlane. With the updated roster, the team won PGL Wallachia Season 9 and is currently competing at BLAST Slam VIII, where it has already secured at least a third-place finish by reaching the upper bracket final.

BLAST Slam VIII runs from 29.09.2026 to 11.10.2026. The tournament features 16 teams competing for a $750,000 prize pool. You can follow the tournament in our coverage.

Previously, Cyberscore reported on comments from BetBoom Team's new midlaner, Vitaly Save Melnik, about what would make him return to position four.