‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s road from injury table to goals with Athletic
Whenhe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta featured in English soil, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at Adams Park in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side weeks after, he converted. His third outing, against Manchester City six weeks after that, sure enough, he repeated the feat. When he returned to Manchester to face United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, also. “In fact,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker says, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I was in fine form. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Man United, standard transfer gossip. 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.”
Real Sociedad release pressure with surreal victory in Basque derby like no other
At Lezama, the city, the early training is set to begin; after it, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another trip to Britain, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the demands of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in four decades. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he states.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. Born to the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a regular attendee at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the first team but with every stage you progress through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his first game and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it aids growth. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. He left emotionally in 2020, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and should the time come the requirement appears in your position, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
No wonder he says savor the moment. All the more so after last year which, sometimes, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
