‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s path from injury table to success with Athletic
Thehe first time the Spanish forward played in English soil, an young playing for the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he played in England, against the Black Cats weeks after, he scored. His third outing, against Manchester City soon after, sure enough, he repeated the feat. When he returned to the northwest to face United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, too. “Actually,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the attacker admits, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about Man United, the typical thing. I’m not certain how true it was, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is set to begin; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another trip to the UK, now to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. This is proving a challenging campaign for Athletic, due in part to the requirements of their participation. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. However, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates a domestic final by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
The player believed it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. Born to the ex-La Real star 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 nurtured the Arsenal manager, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a relegation and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but with every stage you go through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his debut and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I look back on it as a beneficial experience because it shifted the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I would go to training and then head home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles countless occasions. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in 40 games. With Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and if one day they need someone for your role, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
