‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to scoring with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe first time Gorka Guruzeta competed in England, an teenage appearing for the youth squad against German opponents at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he took the field in England, against the English side weeks after, he scored. Another occasion, against Manchester City six weeks after that, sure enough, he repeated the feat. Upon his comeback to the city to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in 2017, he scored again. An excellent finish, too. “Truly,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did what was necessary: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker says, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was in fine form. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed agreement, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At Lezama, the city, the early training is set to begin; following that, the short journey to the airport and a further journey to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It has become a tough year for the team, partly because of the requirements of their participation. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he admits.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and that proved true. As the child of the former Real Sociedad player his father and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that produced the coach, the former star and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he experienced a ACL injury, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the first team but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches 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.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as something positive because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, all resources are available, so do everything. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; the same applies.”
Game time is essential. He left upset in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually they need someone where you play, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the previous season which, sometimes, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
