‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s path from injury table to scoring with the Basque club
Whenhe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta competed in England, an teenage representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he took the field in England, against the English side two months later, he scored. His third outing, against Manchester City soon after, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, also. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker admits, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I have no idea the validity, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is set to begin; after it, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another flight to England, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It has become a difficult season for the club, partly because of the requirements of their participation. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. Yet, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat through the waterway accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the first title in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
He considered it hard enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the coach, the former star and the tactician. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he suffered a serious knee problem, being released, a drop in category and a return before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to live the best days of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the top level but every phase you progress through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time 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 at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it helps. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then go home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: perform them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. The striker moved emotionally in that year, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and when eventually a vacancy arises in your position, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after the previous season which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
