‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s road from rehabilitation to success with Athletic Bilbao
The debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta competed in England, an young representing Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in fall 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he took the field in England, against the English side two months later, he scored. The third time, against the Citizens six weeks after that, indeed, he did it once more. When he returned to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, as well. “Truly,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the attacker reveals, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. 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 the facility, Bilbao, the early training is ready to commence; post-session, the short journey to the airport and a further journey to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Uttering the name lights him up. It has become a tough year for the club, partly because of the demands of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. But, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a domestic final by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway flanked by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the first title in four decades. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the European competition, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he says.
He considered it difficult enough just to earn a spot and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that nurtured the Arsenal manager, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. He joined Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he experienced a ACL injury, the cut, a demotion and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the top level but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in half a dozen appearances between his first game and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You adopt practices you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then go home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed emotionally in 2020, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Especially after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
