‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s journey from injury table to success with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward played in England, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he scored. On his next visit he played in England, against the English side weeks after, he converted. His third outing, against Manchester City six weeks after that, indeed, he repeated the feat. When he returned to the city to face United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he scored again. It was a superb volley, too. “In fact,” he states, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the attacker reveals, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the second half: I was without a signed agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the usual talk. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, 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 ready to commence; after it, the brief trip to Loiu and another flight to the UK, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for the team, partly because of the requirements of being here. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in European competition. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in four decades. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are unique and returning after absence in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.
He considered it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. The son of the ex-La Real star his father and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that developed the coach, the former star and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he went through a serious knee problem, being released, a relegation and a recall before he could truly get a chance, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but each step you go through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his debut and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and I tear my cruciate.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it helps. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players repeatedly. Highly robust. 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. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Teammates are set, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. The striker moved upset in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and if one day they need someone where you play, recall is possible. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. All the more so after the previous season which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
