My guess is that you didn't have a win bonus on for friendlies and your players weren't very motivated because of the drop in bonus incentive. Unless you have all bonuses off.
The AI seems to punish Q difference less in friendlies for whatever reason. Or so I noticed last season. I haven't had the time or packs to/ bother with one this season. Too risky for too little reward.
4-5-1V sucks and isnt an offensive formation. If you were playing it with attacking and high press, I'm glad you struggled.
Real men play butterfly and have wingbacks swift like cheetah and strong like elephant.
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