‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to scoring with Athletic
Thehe first time the Spanish forward played in England, an teenage appearing for the reserve team against German opponents at the English ground in September 2015, he found the net. The second time he took the field in the country, against the English side following that, he scored. The third time, against Manchester City six weeks after that, indeed, he repeated the feat. When he returned to Manchester to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he scored again. A spectacular strike, too. “In fact,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Thus the club did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the attacker admits, 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: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Man United, the usual talk. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the morning session is about to start; following that, the brief trip to Loiu and a further journey to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for the club, partly because of the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary surrounded by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and debuting in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
He considered it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. As the child of the ex-La Real star his father and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that produced the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could truly get a chance, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the first team but every phase you progress through you’re persisting and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in half a dozen appearances between his bow and early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. He left emotionally in that year, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in forty appearances. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and if one day a vacancy arises in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Particularly after last year which, on occasions, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
