‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s road from injury table to scoring with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe debut appearance the Spanish forward played in the UK, an teenage appearing for the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in fall 2015, he scored. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side following that, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did their duty: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker says, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed agreement, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the typical thing. I have no idea the validity, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the facility, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another flight to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. This is proving a difficult season for the team, partially owing to the requirements of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. However, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation within him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in a long wait. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it difficult enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after his top-level debut in that summer, he went through a serious knee problem, the cut, a drop in category and a return before he could earn his place, making his comeback to experience the peak of their lives.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the top level but with every stage you go through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as something positive because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it helps. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then head home, as a youngster does. At the complex, you have everything, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. All the minor details: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players 200,000 times. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. He left upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and when eventually a vacancy arises where you play, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|