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

Thehe first time the Spanish forward competed in the UK, an teenage appearing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in September 2015, he found the net. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side weeks after, he netted. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in 2017, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, also. “In fact,” he says, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.

“I was furious,” the attacker admits, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Man United, the typical thing. I have no idea the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. It’s a privilege.”

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At Lezama, the city, the early training is ready to commence; following that, the quick travel to the airport and another flight to England, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the demands of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their past eight league games and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.

In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has boarded a decades-old barge along the Nervión river surrounded by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he admits.

The player believed it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, the forward is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that produced the Arsenal manager, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He joined Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he went through a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.

“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the top level but every phase you advance through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in half a dozen appearances between his first game and early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I suffered the ACL injury.

“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then go home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, all resources are available, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, work on that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. Every small aspect: perform them.

“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”

You also have to play. He left upset in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and should the time come a vacancy arises in your position, a return could happen. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

No wonder he says appreciate the experience. All the more so after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|