‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s road from gurney to success with Athletic
Thehe first time the Athletic striker competed in the UK, an teenage playing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in September 2015, he scored. The second time he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he netted. Another occasion, against the Citizens not long later, indeed, he repeated the feat. When he returned to Manchester to face United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, too. “Actually,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the forward admits, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, I would have wanted to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”
Real Sociedad release pressure with surreal victory in Basque derby like no other
At the facility, the Basque Country, the early training is about to start; following that, the quick travel to Loiu and another trip to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. This is proving a tough year for Athletic, partly because of the pressures of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
He considered it hard enough just to make the first team and he was right. As the child of the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the coach, the former star and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in that summer, he went through a serious knee problem, dropped, a drop in category and a return before he could truly get a chance, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his bow and early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it aids growth. You adopt practices new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed in tears in the pandemic season, aged 23, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and should the time come the requirement appears where you play, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, European football, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. All the more so after the previous season which, sometimes, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
