‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from injury table to goals with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward featured in the UK, an 18-year-old playing for the reserve team against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he found the net. The second time he took the field in England, against the Black Cats two months later, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the city to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: I hadn’t yet signed deal, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. It’s unclear the validity, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, the Basque Country, the morning session is about to start; following that, the short journey to Loiu and another trip to the UK, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a tough year for Athletic, due in part to the demands of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in the continental stage. But, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a domestic final by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in four decades. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
He considered it hard enough just to earn a spot and that proved true. As the child of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced the coach, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he went through a serious knee problem, the cut, a relegation and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the first team but every phase you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his debut and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a turning point because it made me change the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then go home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, you have everything, so do everything. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles countless occasions. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; the same applies.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, work, believe, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and make the UCL … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
