‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to goals with Athletic
Thehe first time the Athletic striker featured in English soil, an 18-year-old playing for Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he found the net. The second time he played in British turf, against the Black Cats weeks after, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to face United at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, too. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the forward admits, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed deal, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about Man United, the usual talk. I have no idea how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At Lezama, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; after it, the short journey to Loiu and another trip to Britain, this time to take on the Magpies in the UCL on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a challenging campaign for the club, partly because of the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river flanked by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are unique and debuting in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he admits.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the ex-La Real star his father and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that produced the coach, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a ACL injury, being released, a relegation and a return before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of his career.
“Entering the youth system not expecting to reach the senior squad but each step you go through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his first game and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as a turning point because it shifted the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines previously lacking. 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. Practice, prevention. 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 crashed into players 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. He left in tears in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, work, believe, and when eventually the requirement appears where you play, recall is possible. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the previous season which, sometimes, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with a high tally, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
