well... i do prefer playing the manual passes too. though pass is like an old habbit...

i use it sometimes but i feel it "only" triggers the back heel mistake animation more often (it was said by others before). anyway... i also think that on the wings it make you player pass "behind the back with the heel" when a winger runs by. but i had that backheel lay off as well when i was just using X (i think i was using the RS for some fency dribble stuff at that time), so i'm not 100% sure.
i'm all good with the freedom regular fuma ground passes deliver. never ever i could go back to the staged riged sheme called PA!
just last night, when i was playing with Leipzig against Istanbul or Dortmund vs. Lazio... i had some "sharp as an axe" ground passes that split the defense so nicely.... delivering the ball to the striker!
talking about realism: i'm more and more convinced that "too much" of user input destroys some of the realism. its hard to describe for me and sure sounds weird first.

when i dont push and rush for the ball hard and constant, but instead use the pressure feature(s!!) in combination with my active controlled player covering lanes and opponent recipients, the game unfolds so much better. i have times where i manage to hold the other team in their own third or in midfield for quite some time. so this covers a bit of the midfield/retreat flaw but it adds so much more.
when i take my time, in defense or offense, the whole game isnt constant end-to-end like it can be. its more like the real thing, limited due to those rigid retreating i admit. but hey, these days i'm even trying to hold my players high up the pitch when they do wanna retreat. sure, its a workaround (and definitely not perfect)... but what am i supposed to do?!

i'm a player relying on switching players with RS a lot because it gives me more control (even when its more hectic at the sticks and buttons) over the player selection. this way i am able to push other teams into corners or force them to switch sides. its important to think as a team and make your mates work
with you (in tandem with the active controlled player)! and i am so glad that PES offers this... as football is a team sport!
playing a lot of 2021 i'm more sure than ever, that the way you play determines the way the game plays out! take your time, thats my golden advice!
not saying one is playing it wrong, but some may not unleash the full potential of the game (and maybe their skill-set too)!
have a good day yall!
edit: i use the low hard ground pass to reach my forwards too (L1+double pressing cross). sometimes those hard driven low passes are the only way to go when my strikers are covered by some very good CB's!