User blog comment:Piyush Banerjee/Shin DxD 2 discussion/@comment-2602:306:CD9A:C860:1999:D3D0:B3E7:CF47-20190219114510/@comment-34061653-20190221143046

I don't think you're giving Rias and her team enough credit. They proven to be stronger than anyone thought. Rias team had the advantage in terms of leadership and being a more experience team. While not trying to discredit Ravel but Rias had the best of her due to her experience. Rias basically predicted every Ravel every move but Rias couldn't anticapte Rias. The opening ambush was a start that completely caught Ravel off guard and Rias almost won because of that. Powerwise, it was impossible for Issei's team to win if they didn't focus on taking Rias out due to how strong Crom and Strada was.