What went wrong for MAD Lions in the LEC Spring Split?

MAD Lions’ performance in the 2022 LEC Spring Split was anything but what the organization had hoped for, so what happened to the team?

MAD Lions were a shock arrival to tier-one League of Legends in 2021, winning both splits with players that were much less experienced than those of top teams from recent years. But in 2022’s first half the team failed to live up to the expectations that came with that success.

The team bottomed out at 7th place, falling just short of the playoffs run and the possibility of post-season glory. So what was the problem?

What went wrong for MAD Lions?

In a statement by head coach James “Mac” MacCormack, MAD Lions stated the problem with the 2022 LEC Spring Split was scattered team fights and a lack of interpersonal chemistry.

Mac laid out the problems and pressures of the team’s spring split experience. Mac stated the team’s main problem was a lack of cohesive play, particularly when it came to team fights. Alongside this, not enough attention was given to the interpersonal aspects that are needed to encourage a tightly knit team, outside of strategic choices and in-game aspects.

MAD Lions Spring Split recap | Message to the fans

Mac says that the staff has no intention of changing its approach. The head coach stressed that this split was a bump in the road, rather than substantive proof of the organization’s philosophy being flawed. Mac also tries to draw community ire for the disappointing performance away from individual players, laying the blame with the organization’s approach and failures at a “human level.”

Mac thanked fans for their support, stressed that he is taking responsibility for the below-form performance, and promised there will be more victories for fans next split. The Spanish organization has been the biggest winner of the LEC’s franchising, rising to take two back-to-back splits. This year’s beginning may have been rough, but the opportunity to make it to World 2022 is still in play.