‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s path from gurney to scoring with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta played in the UK, an teenage playing for the reserve team against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he found the net. On his next visit he played in British turf, against Sunderland two months later, he converted. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he repeated the feat. When he returned to Manchester to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in that year, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, too. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” Thus the club did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the attacker says, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Man United, the usual talk. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At Lezama, the city, the morning session is set to begin; following that, the short journey to Loiu airport and another flight to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a challenging campaign for Athletic, partly because of the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. However, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary flanked by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in four decades. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. Born to the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that nurtured the Arsenal manager, the former star and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, dropped, a drop in category and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the first team but each step you go through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his bow and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is challenging, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then return home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed in tears in 2020, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the following period, the scoring picked up. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and if one day a vacancy arises where you play, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
