‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to scoring with the Basque club
The initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta featured in England, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in fall 2015, he scored. The second time he took the field in the country, against the English side weeks after, he netted. Another occasion, against Manchester City not long later, indeed, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, also. “In fact,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Thus the club did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker says, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I have no idea how true it was, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
Real Sociedad release pressure with surreal victory in Basque derby like no other
At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is about to start; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu and another flight to England, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for the team, due in part to the requirements of being here. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in the continental stage. Yet, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he says.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after making his senior debut in that summer, he suffered a ACL injury, being released, a drop in category and a call back before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the top level but every phase you progress through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in six games between his bow and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and I tear my cruciate.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as something positive because it made me change the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then head home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, you have everything, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to collide with opponents who have crashed into players 200,000 times. Highly robust. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed in tears in 2020, in his early twenties, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone where you play, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. 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. Especially after the prior campaign which, at times, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with a high tally, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
