im having the same problem.
i found out there's a way you can strafe in real time but you have immediately run out reaction time on purpose, then you can use strafe.
as for the delayed response, im not sure there is anything we can do about it.
it's hard enough to get the cpu to
actually throw to you, and even when they do you can't make a play on the ball because your rtg player does
nothing.
so many times im in position to make a play and i press triangle (ps3) and my rtg player doesn't even try to go for the ball...and even if they do go for the ball, they do that crap animation where they just put their hands up, meanwhile im seeing my own cpu teammates making all kinds of different interception animations.