The game is faked!

[Arphaxad]

Your analysis is logical and it should be like that. However, in TE11, I'm not sure if the engine works with the same logic. For example, I mostly play 451V and find it's difficult to cope with opponents who play 4-1(DMC or MC)-3(AMLRC)-2. There was one match that the only MC of an opponent got a red card and I still could not win. Maybe, I'm a weak manager.

I've come across several managers that plays sans MC successfully. They mostly adopt a long passing strategy with high pressing basically cutting out the middle man (MC).

Recently I met a manager that played 3223 DL DC DR DMC DMC AML AMC AMC AMR ST adopting the strategy above. Countered it by focusing long passes along the flanks.