First of all, it’s not a debate, it’s a fact, you can choose to not look at it and dismiss it as “tiresome” all you want but in the end the total tally also said we were 12 points from first and only 2 points from 5th. This isn't some negative interpretation. We were competing for a CL place nowhere near Scudetto, similar situation we are in now.

So i don't see how me pointing that FACT out to point out that your point is not based on reality is "nitpicky".
Ok so looking at last 2.5 years. 1 season we barely made CL place and was nowhere near Scudetto, 1 season we won the Scudetto, and now we are again challenging for a CL place with Scudetto nowhere in sight, why is it surprising that this is our "normal" level.