Another dull Manchester United away match in Europe (they happened under Sir Alex Ferguson, too) still ended in controversy thanks to another Ashley Young dive.
Young won a dubious second-half penalty, missed by Robin van Persie, but that was not going to earn him a reprieve.
Due to his serial penchant for tumbling under little, or no, contact and the club he plays for, it was inevitable Young would be at the centre of post-match discussions.
David Moyes, who criticised the England winger after he was yellow-carded for simulation against Crystal Palace in September, declined to do so this time. Publicly, at least.
"I have seen it and the boy certainly tugs him in the box," said the United boss. "If you look the referee is two yards away from it and decided to give it.
"All I know is he got a penalty kick from a decision, I don't know anything about reputations or anything.
"The referee was there. He made quite a lot of decisions tonight and that one he gave a penalty kick."
Real Sociedad's Markel Bergara might have brushed Young's shirt, but even "tug" is perhaps an exaggeration.
Roy Keane was less defensive and said Young had "conned" Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli, who bizarrely booked Bergara. He was not the only ex-United player to condemn Young, either.
Ray Wilkins shared the Irishman's thoughts, telling Sky Sports: "This is pathetic. This is as bad for me as all these over-the-top tackles we're getting at the moment because that is a conning of the referee.
"I just wish Ashley would cut this out because he's a good player but he's getting a bad name."
Young said in June 2012: "I'm not a cheat. I'm not a diver. I go out to play football fairly and I've done that ever since I was young." He has now defied two managers at Manchester United.