Fnatic vs FC Schalke 04

For our third match of the day we have a fairly fascinating clash between the former "Kings of Europe" and the unlikeliest of challengers -- Schalke 04. All signs are pointing towards a fairly one-sided affair, but whenever Fnatic step foot on stage to compete, there's a reason to tune in.

They're entering this game with as much hype and momentum as humanly possible after demolishing Misfits Gaming yesterday. It wasn't even a close, competitive affair even though the mid game was somewhat dicey. You could argue that the entire game was decided by a single play in the mid lane. With Febiven not taking Cleanse, Nemesis and Selfmade had an easy target in the mid lane. They engaged on level three were were immediately able to get the kill (thanks to Bwipo's TP) which then snowballed into a lead in the top lane as well. It was an absolute masterclass from start to finish and Fnatic's overall aggression was mesmerizing. The whole "see hero kill hero" meme was once again in full effect with Bwipo & Co. going all-in on a vulnerable (and seemingly overwhelmed) Misfits line-up.

If you're into top-tier play and sheer mechanical prowess, watching Fnatic's games is an absolute must. At the moment, they're the best and most dangerous team in Europe. They're not exactly the epitome of consistency, but they're so darn strong and aggressive which is why they're often able to eke out advantages through sheer force of will. In many ways, they look like the G2 of old -- mechanically insane, unhinged in-game, and incredibly creative in the pick and ban phase. They can also play pretty much anything in the game and they're flexing such drafting prowess more often than not.

There is, of course, a moment in which they go overboard, but at least it's not happening that often.

Schalke, on the other hand, aren't nearly as creative but have improved leaps and bounds in a staggeringly short amount of time. Their clash against a game Origen was certainly filled with a couple of surprises, starting with Odoamne's insane Poppy counter pick. The early game was slow and calculated from both teams, devoid of any action or playmaking. Still, Schalke 04 went even in gold throughout the majority of the game which wasn't something you'd expect given their current power level and place in the standings. After all, a clash between a Top 3 team and a bottom-tier dweller (with just two wins on the board) should be a lot more one-sided.

But in true Origen fashion, they were passive and slow, unwilling to compete unless they had a surefire play in sight. It was all about macro and while such an approach wasn't particularly exciting, at least they got the job done. They had to fight for the win, too, which did hurt stock a bit. They're still insanely talented and are a shoo-in for the playoffs, but they're not really playing in the best and most optimal way right now. The current meta rewards teams who are creative and aggressive, and it feels like Origen is neither. Sure, their drafts are diverse and layered, but their in-game play is anything but.

As a result, Schalke was able to throw down from start to finish. So in that sense, they're definitely better than their record would suggest and will surely bring the fight to Fnatic as well. That said, the former LEC champions are at their best and most dominant right now. Schalke, even on a good day, shouldn't have what it takes to compete on even footing. Regardless, expect a skirmish-heavy game that's bound to entertain beyond measure.