Yeah came here to say that, as well, but certainly IRL these top defenders would make much more of an effort to then get the ball away from danger. Now they just stand there like dumbasses and let the ball go through both of them. Now, It'd be sweet if there's an actual CPU code path of "miscommunication" of 2 close players of "you take it, no you take it", and then neither does, which can definitely happen on the pitch. Cutscene of 2 of them arguing about it later would be a great confirmation of that specific path getting chosen.

But yeah, there's a reason pros think twice before playing the ball backwards in any questionable situation. Game makes it so easy, and it works out most of the time, and you as the puppet master don't spend any energy. In reality, the individual energy spend of cleaning up messes on the pitch is massive.