‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from rehabilitation to scoring with Athletic
The first time Gorka Guruzeta played in the UK, an 18-year-old appearing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in fall 2015, he scored. The second time he took the field in the country, against the Black Cats weeks after, he scored. His third outing, against the Citizens soon after, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to face United at the sports complex in 2017, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, also. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker reveals, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, it’s typical. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I have no idea if it was accurate, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, the city, the morning session is about to start; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu and a further journey to England, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a tough year for Athletic, partly because of the demands of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. Yet, consider the broader view, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river flanked by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and making their first appearance in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. The son of the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced the coach, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his first-team bow in that summer, he suffered a torn cruciate, being released, a drop in category and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the top level but with every stage you progress through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it aids growth. You develop habits new to you. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All the minor details: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have crashed into players countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed upset in that year, aged 23, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
