Saksa outlines Team Yandex’s adjustment to ATF’s aggressive style

Team Yandex support Martin “Saksa” Sazdov said the roster is still adapting to Ammar “ATF” Assaf, who joined before the 2026/2027 season. The team has not yet fully established its in-game communication, and some players may be hesitant to take more initiative. Saksa said the squad is working to become more vocal and encourage greater involvement during matches.

Sazdov described ATF as a markedly different offlaner from DM. The new player prefers an aggressive approach built around winning his lane and maintaining pressure, which has forced Team Yandex to adjust several routines. Saksa added that ATF has a broad hero pool, although the team sometimes needs to persuade him to consider particular picks in suitable situations.

The change has also affected Saksa’s own priorities. He now spends more time focused directly on the lane and relies less on heroes whose main value is clearing waves, since ATF can handle that task. The support is still evaluating the best balance. Team Yandex won PGL Wallachia Season 9 and remains in the BLAST Slam VIII playoffs.

ColdMath take

Team Yandex is still shaping its communication and lane assignments around ATF’s preferences. Saksa’s role has shifted toward more direct laning, while the team continues testing the most effective hero and map patterns.

The roster’s adaptation is ongoing, but it has already produced a PGL Wallachia Season 9 title and carried the team into the BLAST Slam VIII playoffs.