yeap, i don't think so. i think every minor change we've made in the game contributes to the final result. i would think that the game engine acts like a "real time" simulator based on probability. this probability is based on the squad quality, formation, and possession (percentage of attendance, your and friend's attendance). i would say that the three minutes is the time required by the engine to gather data (check your team's condition, morale, illegal formation) and throw you the "initial condition" of player performance. i notice that with the very same squad you can get different efficiency. one time you might have 10 shots and 9 shots on target but another time you might have 10 shots but only 1 on target. or maybe sometimes your usual key player suddenly plays like crap and never create chances. or maybe you've already experienced how your opponent's defenders that have poor rating and form can always block your crossings, passing, shooting, or dribbling? and sometimes your opponent's goalkeeper can make 5 super saves in the game? i think this form is given at the first minute by the engine but we can change the way the game leads us if we make necessary and important changes throughout the game