‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to success with Athletic
Thehe debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in England, an young appearing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in fall 2015, he scored. The second time he took the field in British turf, against Sunderland two months later, he converted. Another occasion, against the Citizens soon after, well, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to face United at the sports complex in 2017, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, too. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” So Athletic did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the attacker says, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, it’s typical. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea the validity, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is about to start; following that, the short journey to Loiu and another flight to England, now to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a challenging campaign for the club, partly because of the demands of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in the continental stage. However, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates a final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and he was right. As the child of the ex-La Real star his father and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he experienced a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the top level but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his first game and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as something positive because it made me change the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it helps. You adopt practices new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then return home, as a youngster does. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. Every small aspect: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved in tears in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and when eventually the requirement appears for your role, a return could happen. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, on occasions, was involved suffering. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
