Osasuna find themselves in the bottom half of the LaLiga table and are winless since February 2, but Athletic Club’s Maroan Sannadi warns that the Gorritxoak “can make things difficult” when the two sides clash at San Mamés on Sunday.
Having signed for the Zurigorri on February 1 – his 24th birthday – Maroan has quickly become a fan favourite, and told reporters in a press conference on Thursday: “Every day, I fall more in love with Athletic.”
“I’m very lucky to be in the position I am. I feel very comfortable, I’m enjoying the moment,” the forward explained, adding that as a youngster growing up in Gasteiz, he spent “many years coming to San Mamés.”
“I’d been experiencing it from the outside, but once you step onto the pitch there is an enormous difference. It’s something special that I’m not going to forget.”
Formerly of Deportivo Alavés’ B Team, Maroan’s transition to first-team football in Bilbao has been aided by Gorka Guruzeta.
“It’s a pleasure to have him there,” commented Maroan, who noted that “since I arrived, he’s been by my side in the dressing room and he’s helped me a lot.”
Maroan, who is currently fasting for Ramadan, insists that the Islamic holy month will not affect his performances on the pitch because “it is something I’ve been doing my whole life, and I’m following the club’s dietary and hydration guidance.”
Sunday’s clash between Athletic Club and CA Osasuna gets underway at 17:30 BST [18:30 CEST] at San Mamés.