Portuguese international winger Simao Sabrosa has signed for Espanyol, the Spanish top-flight club announced on Friday.
A goal from Xandao was enough to send Sporting fans home happy, after his back-heel sealed a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the night's first batch of UEFA Europa League, while Atletico Madrid won 3-1 against Besiktas.
Despite outstanding domestic form Sporting Braga's hopes of repeating last year's run to the UEFA Europa League final now hang by a thread after goals from Tomas Sivok and Simao gave Besiktas a 2-0 away victory.
Separated by only a few kilometres, fierce Portuguese club rivals Sporting and Benfica lend credence to the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt.
Simao Sabrosa's penalty earned Besiktas a 1-0 win over Antalyaspor and moved his side to within a point of the Super Lig leaders, while Ankaragucu won their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Genclerbirligi.
Besiktas beat Galatasaray 2-0 to continue their chase for European qualification, Bucaspor wasted a two-goal lead in their battle to avoid relegation, while Kasimpasa drew 2-2 with Konyaspor.
