‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s road from gurney to goals with the Basque club
Whenhe first time Gorka Guruzeta competed in the UK, an 18-year-old playing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in fall 2015, he found the net. During his subsequent match he played in England, against the Black Cats two months later, he netted. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, well, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in 2017, he scored again. It was a superb volley, too. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker says, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized deal, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about Manchester United, the typical thing. It’s unclear the validity, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is set to begin; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on Wednesday. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a challenging campaign for the club, partly because of the demands of their participation. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge along the Nervión river surrounded by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he says.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and he was right. As the child of the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the local academy that nurtured the Arsenal manager, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to experience the peak of their lives.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the top level but each step you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his debut and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then return home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. Every small aspect: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. He left emotionally in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he scored three times in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and when eventually a vacancy arises where you play, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. All the more so after the previous season which, sometimes, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|