Overall. That is the operative term here, not in one competition, especially if that competition is not the league which is a run of numerous games overtime. His overall numbers from last season was 11 goals and 7 assists in 45 matches played in 4 club competitions. That was the metric I used in my assessment. Decisions are not made over select performances, they are made over extensive performances, which highlights consistency overtime. Using the team of a season as a metric can be a slippery slope, it can paper over cracks and flaws. This is because if you take his performances in the 23/24 season overall into consideration, they were more efficient, 8 goals and 16 assists in 37 matches played. That was why Barça was interested, it was not just based on his national team performances alone. It is not false, the numbers do not lie, he did not have a good season overall. Let's take an example like Lookman, who is rumoured to be a target for Barça. He played 5 less games than Nico, but ended the season with 20 goals and 6 assists in 4 competitions. That is more consistent overall. Another example Luis Diaz, who is a player I do not want at Barça, 5 less games than Nico, 17 goals and 5 assists in 4 competitions. What is the difference here between the aforementioned players and Nico overall? Those players are in teams that are better set up attacking wise than Bilbao. What is the assumption then? Nico's numbers will be better, if he played in such teams. How? His national team performances, that is as obvious as a sign in the middle of a road. Do I know that to be true? Absolutely not. Those players play in different leagues, under different systems and caliber of players. But, an assumption remains an assumption. I am well aware of why he looks good in the Spanish set-up, it will be hard not to, when one is surrounded by such talent and quality, except you are Lucas Trashquez, of course.

Inter, Inter, Inter, I cannot say, I am surprised. Where is the fight? Where is the hunger? Where is the desire? Where is the master plan? I will be surprised, if Inzaghi keeps his job. All the huffing and puffing, now you get to end up trophy less, so much for a memorable season. You won the battle, but lost the war. Damn, this is a final made for Flick's Barça...