‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta competed in English soil, an 18-year-old representing the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he appeared in the country, against Sunderland following that, he scored. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, well, he did it once more. As he revisited to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in that year, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: they took him off.
“I got well angry,” the forward says, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Man United, the usual talk. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At the training ground, the city, the morning session is set to begin; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Uttering the name lights him up. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for the club, partially owing to the demands of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation within him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway flanked by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he admits.
The player believed it hard enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. Born to the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the local academy that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, being released, a demotion and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the top level but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his debut and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it made me change the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it aids growth. You develop habits previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then head home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Strength training. With hip imbalance, work on that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All the minor details: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. The striker moved upset in that year, at 23 years old, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in 40 games. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and should the time come they need someone in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
