I'm really quiting guys this is a joke...

[madflo19]

It was like this for a long time,manipulating is good to avoid teams +1/2 lvls,but no matter how much you'll lower your best 14 players,you'll not be placed only against teams near you quality.
For example,if you start the season with a team that have 30% quality based on best 14 players,your cup/ champions league draw will have teams between 30% and 90%.
Now,it depends also on what server you are,if you are "lucky" you can have manipulators in your competitions,or like in your case,strong -1 lvl

[Altiplano]

Lower quality too far and leagues become a walkover, 77-1-0 for the last 3 seasons. But as Madflo has pointed out the cups can always trip you up.