Yep, its not the Level that counts its the Quality and it becomes very difficult when the ability to improve the Quality and the cost of it is so different. (Most times you can thrash those higher level same quality teams because if they're not improving they're not well managed, if at all.)

I'd try to play defensive counter-attacking to try to have a chance in 2nd leg. Or I'd just sell my house, live under a bridge and put my (mis)trust in the engine.