‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to success with Athletic
The debut appearance the Spanish forward featured in England, an young representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he appeared in England, against Sunderland following that, he netted. His third outing, against Manchester City soon after, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, too. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what was necessary: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the forward reveals, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the facility, the city, the morning session is ready to commence; following that, the brief trip to Loiu and a further journey to Britain, this time to take on the Magpies in the UCL on midweek. Uttering the name makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, due in part to the requirements of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge along the Nervión river surrounded by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. Born to the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that developed Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he suffered a serious knee problem, the cut, a demotion and a return before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the first team but with every stage you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in six games between his bow and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as something positive because it forced me to alter the outlook. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then go home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, you have everything, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All the minor details: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. He left emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in 40 games. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, work, believe, and should the time come the requirement appears where you play, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. 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 the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
