I've completed 34 seasons so far.

I have 27 league wins, 5 runners up spots, then finished 3rd the other two times.
I have won the Champions League 16 times, been a finalist 21 times, out of 33 seasons (As you don't play CL first season)

In contrast, I have won the Cup just 3 times, been a finalist 5 times. The 3 cup wins all came between levels 2-5, with my finalist showings being last season and in season 9.

That to me just shows how stupid the Cup is. I always have a strong competitive team, but I am almost ALWAYS out of the Cup in the first or second set of games as I am ALWAYS up against teams 2/3/4 levels above me. Its simply impossible to be competitive in the Cup unless you destroy your teams every season, then build them back up. My League and CL record proves to me that in my opinion I have a strong team and know what I'm doing, so its not bad management - its a case that the Cup is fundamentally unfair on teams that are strong.

I don't and have never spent money on this game - and the Cup is a strong reason why. It punishes those that invest time and effort into it by giving them impossible cup draws, whilst those that sign in every now and then are given easier draws and more chance of taking the Cup. I won't destroy my teams each year for a kinder cup draw as I like continuity in my teams and to develop players over time. Its a massive Nordeus own goal.