‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to scoring with Athletic
Thehe debut appearance the Athletic striker played in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in September 2015, he found the net. The second time he played in the country, against the English side weeks after, he converted. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, well, he scored again. When he returned to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the attacker admits, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, you know how it is. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the facility, the city, the early training is set to begin; after it, the brief trip to Loiu and a further journey to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It has become a tough year for the team, partially owing to the demands of their participation. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. However, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a semi-final participant, prevented from reaching a final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in a long wait. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that nurtured the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in that summer, he went through a torn cruciate, dropped, a drop in category and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of his career.
“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the first team but with every stage you progress through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his debut and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the outlook. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then return home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. He left upset in that year, aged 23, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and when eventually a vacancy arises in your position, recall is possible. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Especially after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. From top scorer with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
