User blog comment:B214/Azazel Cup discussion center/@comment-36663391-20180824180004/@comment-31137559-20180825191520

Issei just faced a team with four god-class beings including two of them being in the Top 10.

Again these aren't one-on-one battles but Rating Games where Issei has to lead his team to victory.

Seriously it would make more sense for him to lose than any other team. Because of his inexperience as a leader.