‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club
The first time the Athletic striker featured in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he found the net. On his next visit he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he scored. Another occasion, against the Citizens soon after, sure enough, he did it once more. As he revisited to the city to face United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, also. “Actually,” he says, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the forward says, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the facility, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; after it, the brief trip to the airport and another flight to England, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the UCL on Wednesday. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. This is proving a challenging campaign for the club, due in part to the requirements of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. But, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a domestic final by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary flanked by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. He’s now the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
The player believed it challenging enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, being released, a demotion and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the first team but each step you progress through you’re persisting and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his first game and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as a turning point because it made me change the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At the complex, all resources are available, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed emotionally in that year, aged 23, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the scoring picked up. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone in your position, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
