‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s road from gurney to scoring with the Basque club
Whenhe debut appearance the Spanish forward featured in the UK, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in September 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he took the field in the country, against the English side weeks after, he converted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, well, he did it once more. As he revisited to Manchester to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he scored again. A spectacular strike, as well. “Truly,” he says, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker reveals, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Manchester 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. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the facility, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; following that, the brief trip to the airport and another trip to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the Champions League on midweek. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a difficult season for the club, due in part to the pressures of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. 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 three years since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat through the waterway surrounded by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and debuting in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the former Real Sociedad player his father and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he went through a torn cruciate, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of his career.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the first team but every phase you go through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and early 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. In the facility, all resources are available, so utilize it all. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. All the minor details: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and if one day they need someone for your role, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after last year which, on occasions, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with a high tally, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|