‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s path from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion the Athletic striker featured in the UK, an teenage appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. The second time he appeared in the country, against Sunderland two months later, he converted. His third outing, against the Citizens six weeks after that, well, he did it once more. As he revisited to the northwest to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in 2017, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, also. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I was without a signed agreement, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. It’s unclear 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 early training is set to begin; post-session, the short journey to the airport and a further journey to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on Wednesday. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a tough year for Athletic, due in part to the demands of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in European competition. However, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
He considered it difficult enough just to earn a spot and that proved true. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the coach, the legendary midfielder and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he went through a ACL injury, dropped, a drop in category and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of their lives.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the first team but each step you progress through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his first game 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 I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the outlook. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it helps. You develop habits you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, all resources are available, so do everything. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles countless occasions. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in 40 games. With Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and when eventually the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
