I've found that it helps rotating your team. I'm superior to every team in my league. But I still struggle against inferior teams with absent managers. It's as if the game engine gives the opposing team a power boost against me. What I've found useful is not playing a drastically superior team. I try to field a team which is 5-8 % stronger than my opponent's. If I need to, I put in my stronger players during the game instead.

It has worked for me. We shouldn't have to do it, but it is what it is. I'm in my fourth season and have only lost 3 games, 2 of which were basically with my reserves. Only one loss was legit. And I was trolled as you're describing. Probably going to win the quadruple again this season in a couple of hours.