‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s road from gurney to goals with Athletic Bilbao
The debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta played in the UK, an young appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he scored. The second time he appeared in England, against Sunderland following that, he converted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, sure enough, he did it once more. As he revisited to the northwest to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, as well. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the forward says, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the typical thing. I have no idea how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At Lezama, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to the airport and another trip to England, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a tough year for the club, partly because of the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. But, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.
In the the period since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in four decades. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a long period. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.
The player believed it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the former Real Sociedad player his father and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could earn his place, making his comeback to experience the peak of their lives.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the first team but every phase you advance through you’re still there 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 early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it helps. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then head home, as a youngster does. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Strength training. Should your hips be uneven, address that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed in tears in that year, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and should the time come they need someone where you play, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
No wonder he says savor the moment. Particularly after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
