Same problem for me. Only on my 4th Season, but i am still yet to get past the qualifying stages.....

Every team i have been up against has been slightly higher rated than me, but it just seems if i win, i loose hard next leg.

Example, i won 2-1 at home. My team is 36.9 rated compared to this level 7 who's team was 37 rated. I took a 3-0 loss. I used 4-5-1v against his 4-4-2. I had 1 counter attack through to goal, and yes i put it over. He got a free kick, goal. Corner, header, goal. Just seems im stuck in every cup lol.