Who'd be arsed picking the bones out of old wins? No one really romanticises the performance, it's the feelings and memories that are associated with it, where our lives were at the time, who we watched it with, a great goal, the performances that got us there, the era it's associated with.
Finals are invariably a tense, anti climax where neither side wants to lose and it's often reflected in the performance. A usually defensively sound side might uncharacteristically ship a few goals, a free scoring side might bottle it. I don't think that really means we can call said teams or judge such performances as cowardly, a joke, embarrassing, etc. It's more complex than that and I can recall off the top of my head probably a couple of fans in my 40+ years who would have the gall to take that stance about a trophy winning side, either in the moment or on reflection. It usually reveals some inner bias or particular agenda.
Romanticising and living in the past? A bit rich coming from someone who judges every player and member of staff against the traditions of the club and it's past greats.
Just enjoy it and remember it as the history books do.