 On 3 January 2012, Sánchez opened the scoring in a Spanish Cup tie against Real Madrid, netting through a header in an eventual 2–3 away loss (2–4 on aggregate).On 28 June 2015, after being linked to former club Espanyol and Beşiktaş JK, the 29-year-old Sánchez moved abroad for the first time in his career and signed with Panathinaikos FC, earning a reported annual salary of €800,000 including objectives.In his debut, at home against Club Brugge KV for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, he was sent off late into the first half, but the hosts eventually came from behind with one player less to win it 2–1.