‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic
The first time the Athletic striker featured in the UK, an teenage playing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in September 2015, he hit the target. The second time he appeared in England, against the English side two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against the Citizens not long later, indeed, he scored again. When he returned to Manchester to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, as well. “In fact,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” So Athletic did what was necessary: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the attacker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed deal, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the typical thing. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the facility, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another trip to the UK, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words lights him up. It has become a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the pressures of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in European competition. However, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the the period since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. He’s now the top goal-getter in the European competition, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star his father and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, the forward is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the Arsenal manager, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to live the best days of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the senior squad but every phase you progress through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his first game and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it shifted the way I saw things. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, all resources are available, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. He left in tears in 2020, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and should the time come the requirement appears where you play, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. Especially after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
