‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s road from injury table to goals with Athletic
The initial occasion the Spanish forward featured in England, an young representing Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he hit the target. On his next visit he played in the country, against the English side following that, he scored. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the city to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, also. “Actually,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker admits, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed my contract, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about Man United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at Athletic. It’s a privilege.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At Lezama, the city, the morning session is set to begin; post-session, the short journey to Loiu and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for the team, partly because of the demands of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. Yet, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway flanked by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. He’s now the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in a long period. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
The player believed it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. As the child of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a demotion and a recall before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the first team but every phase you go through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his bow and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and I tear my cruciate.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is challenging, but it helps. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. He left emotionally in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|