Luca ‘Liuq’ Andenna is the one Italian on the ALGS 2026 Championship and is the assistant coach for Shopify Revolt, a workforce that’s anticipated to succeed in the grand finals.
Within the freezing chilly of Sapporo, Japan, Esports Insider Italy interviewed Liuq to share his impressions of the event, his perspective on aggressive Apex Legends and what esports course he needs from the battle royale title.
Earlier than changing into the technique guru for Shopify Revolt, Liuq was a coach at Gaimin Gladiators. Nonetheless, he went on to affix the Americas workforce after the ALGS Midseason Playoffs on the Esports World Cup.
“After the Esports World Cup ended, Don (Abas Adam, the top coach at Shopify Revolt) got here to me and requested me to affix forces, and the concept of collaborating with him appeared improbable,” he mentioned.
“The reason being that I cope with sport technique; I’m good, however I’m not a grasp at constructing interpersonal relationships with gamers and employees. From this attitude, I feel Don is the perfect on the earth: I deal with the technical side, he handles the interpersonal features, however we all the time collaborate on each features.”
A Coach’s Perspective Going into the ALGS Championship 2026
Nonetheless, Liuq thinks this yr’s ALGS Championship shall be one to recollect: “It’s going to be the perfect event we’ll ever see, regardless of some first few predictable video games the place we’ll see Newcastle, Valkyrie, and Caustic (who collectively are a cheat code), or Bangalore, Cripto, and Alter, that are the one composition that hardly counters this set.
“From the second Newcastle will get banned, I count on the variety of viable groups to drop considerably as a result of many squads have constructed their technique round staying alive because of Newcastle. However in ALGS Professional League, it’s a lot simpler than within the World Cup, the place after two video games you’re not in a position to create playable spots out of skinny air. Which means that across the fourth or fifth ring, individuals begin throwing themselves on the first enemy they encounter.”
There’s a trendsetter at this yr’s ALGS, so numerous smaller groups will attempt to imitate the highest canine. Nonetheless, that is one thing that Liuq will attempt to capitalise on.
“Many are attempting to mimic Group Falcons, however ImperialHal’s workforce shoots higher than 98% of the gamers at this occasion, so copying them received’t do any good. I count on a change in behaviour amongst these groups that keep away from combating, and we’re excellent at punishing errors.”
Liuq is Hopeful In regards to the Way forward for Apex Esports
Regular participant numbers and excessive ranges of engagement level in direction of a rising pattern within the Apex Legends skilled scene. When requested about the way forward for Apex Legends esports, Liuq is optimistic in regards to the common state of affairs, however “there’s numerous work to do.”
He continued: “This yr is the right alternative to indicate the world that Apex Legends is likely one of the greatest esports on the market. Have a look at Warzone, for instance, it doesn’t have the identical affect regardless of a background as enormous as CoD, one of many franchises on the Mount Rushmore of video video games.”
Nonetheless, he additionally echoed a sentiment that some ALGS execs have shared — additional funding is required.
“I’d wish to see EA’s income, on condition that the funding is there, and see extra funding in organisations to additional develop the ecosystem,” the coach mentioned.
“Apex’s energy is aggressive, they usually care for each the aggressive and informal segments, so that offers me hope. It will be good to see higher synergy with organisations.”
Like Alliance’s Hakis, Liuq can be apprehensive in regards to the souring of the connection between informal avid gamers and execs.
He added: “If I may make one suggestion to EA, it will be to vary the method to partaking with the group, which is at present very unfavourable in regards to the sport.
“I’m the primary to level out the failings, however we have now to recognise that each event is a superb present, each match is enjoyable to look at and gives a significant expertise. I’d just like the group to vary as a result of it will be good to see a extra optimistic environment.”
