No, I 'm saying that a team in the top of the server (or near), playing all the time with same opponents, many times vs +1 LV in Cup and C.L.
But at LV 24 you can avoid that.
So loosing a Cup or C.L. final it's a matter of luck or because of some details (if q is ok).
So in that thing you might find help here.

About associations, I 'm playing in two groups with forum friends (the English and the Greek forum) and we don't have any empty space.
But you can find easily a group from the relative section of the forum.
People are asking for active managers.

I don't like to play in platinum as there many opponents have players with specific skills so I don't enjoy the games.
I prefer Gold 1, having good, active but more normal teams and 50 T are a good prize.