‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s path from gurney to success with the Basque club
Whenhe debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in the UK, an teenage appearing for the youth squad against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he found the net. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side two months later, he scored. His third outing, against the Citizens six weeks after that, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the forward admits, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed deal, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the typical thing. I’m not certain the validity, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At Lezama, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; following that, the short journey to Loiu and another trip to the UK, now to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a tough year for the team, partly because of the requirements of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. Yet, take in the big picture, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
The player believed it hard enough just to earn a spot and he was right. As the child of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he suffered a serious knee problem, the cut, a drop in category and a recall before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his debut and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. 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 take full advantage. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. With hip imbalance, address that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles countless occasions. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, work, believe, and should the time come the requirement appears in your position, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, at times, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
