Handicap / Momentum Punishes Players
There is a serious balance issue in single-match mode. Even though my team has a 118 rating, opponents with 105-110 rating often perform unrealistically better in terms of physicals, speed, shooting, and tackling. On paper, higher-rated teams should have a clear advantage, but in-game, the difference is barely noticeable.
Lower-rated opponents:
- Break through the defense like rockets
- Push our players off the ball unrealistically
- Catch up to our fast attackers effortlessly
- Make extraordinary goalkeeper saves
- Ball behaves normally for them but seems to “skip” for us
This makes the game feel unfair. Players who invest time and money into building a stronger squad do not see their advantage in matches. If the game uses momentum or handicap mechanics in single-match mode, it is completely demotivating.
High-rated players should actually perform better on the field. Being stronger on paper must translate to better performance in-game, not just in menus.
