‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s path from injury table to scoring with Athletic

Thehe first time the Athletic striker played in English soil, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. The second time he played in the country, against the English side two months later, he scored. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, well, he did it once more. As he revisited to the city to face United at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, as well. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did their duty: they took him off.

“I became very upset,” the forward admits, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was pretty good. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed agreement, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, as you’d expect. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the typical thing. I’m not certain the validity, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”

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At the training ground, the city, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the quick travel to the airport and another flight to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. This is proving a tough year for the team, due in part to the demands of their participation. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. 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 three years since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary flanked by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are unique and debuting in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.

Guruzeta thought it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the one-time rival player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a drop in category and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.

“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the senior squad 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 had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and my knee gave way.

“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You adopt practices previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, you have everything, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, improve it more. Every small aspect: execute them.

“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact 200,000 times. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”

You also have to play. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he scored three times in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone where you play, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

Little surprise he states savor the moment. Particularly after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|