‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to scoring with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe initial occasion the Athletic striker competed in the UK, an 18-year-old representing Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in the 2015 season, he scored. During his subsequent match he appeared in England, against the Black Cats two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against Manchester City soon after, indeed, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the city to face United at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, as well. “In fact,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker says, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, as you’d expect. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”
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At Lezama, the Basque Country, the early training is about to start; after it, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another trip to the UK, now to face Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a tough year for the team, due in part to the pressures of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. Yet, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a domestic final by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway surrounded by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
The player believed it challenging enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a demotion and a return before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the top level but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his bow and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it helps. You develop habits previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, you have everything, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have experienced contact 200,000 times. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in that season, he got three strikes in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and should the time come a vacancy arises in your position, recall is possible. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, European football, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
