Normaling was not a bad choice to me, despite opponent's CT killed you. In my opinion, that was the reason of the defeat. However, I would say that, looking at long term, risk was more than reasonable.
About not choosing LI, looking at that from the easier standpoint, after and from outside, in general if I take attitude risk I choose the best offense/defense. I cannot say whether it had any actual impact on final result of that game. My choice is to change tactics when risk is affordable, although I swap attacks to make them credible - in other words, I don't use weaker attack only in easy games, otherwise is NOT credible. But expecting a CT I probably would have used LI. After, it's easier...
About other teams progresses, my recommendation is to assign one or more "observers" - I have a staff of 4 helping me to prepare tactics, "living" every week with other teams to enter their minds
