‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s road from rehabilitation to scoring with the Basque club

Thehe first time Gorka Guruzeta featured in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he hit the target. On his next visit he took the field in the country, against Sunderland following that, he converted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, well, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he scored again. A spectacular strike, as well. “In fact,” he states, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: he was replaced.

“I was furious,” the Athletic striker admits, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Man United, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”

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At the facility, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for Athletic, due in part to the demands of being here. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. But, consider the broader view, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.

In the three years since he had rejoined the team, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a final at home by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway flanked by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the first title in a long wait. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.

Guruzeta thought it difficult enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. Born to the one-time rival player his father and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that developed the coach, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he went through a ACL injury, the cut, a demotion and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of his career.

“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you go through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and I suffered the ACL injury.

“A massive setback but In retrospect as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, all resources are available, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Strength training. With hip imbalance, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. All the minor details: execute them.

“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles 200,000 times. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”

You also have to play. Guruzeta departed upset in that year, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and when eventually they need someone in your position, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Particularly after last year 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|