Matchmaking and defending

Is it just me or are other people having problems. In regards to defending i thought it was akeward of FC25 but thats heavenly compared to this fc26. My players never make challenges and part like the red sea. When I press with them they always press to the wrong side of the attacker. Surely this cant be right??

Also got an annoyance about matchmaking how the hell does it work i always seem to be up against somebody with a team much better than mine. Classic example i played gaunlet yesterday. Put a 74 side out and was up against a team of 79,80 and 81's. In the next game I put my normal side out which is rated 84/85 and I came up against a side full of 88s, 89,'s and 90's. This isn't just a one off I can honestly say I have never been matched against a team worse than or on a level playing field as my team. What's all this about. Really spoiling my enjoyment of the game these two issues.