‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s road from injury table to goals with Athletic
Whenhe first time Gorka Guruzeta played in the UK, an young representing Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in fall 2015, he found the net. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the Black Cats weeks after, he netted. His third outing, against the Citizens soon after, indeed, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he scored again. It was a superb volley, also. “In fact,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” So Athletic did their duty: they took him off.
“I got well angry,” the attacker admits, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the usual talk. It’s unclear the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At Lezama, the city, the morning session is ready to commence; after it, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another flight to the UK, now to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It has become a tough year for Athletic, 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 past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. Yet, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
The player believed it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the one-time rival player his father and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the local academy that nurtured Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he experienced a torn cruciate, being released, a drop in category and a call back before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the top level but each step you progress through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in six games between his bow and that period. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it made me change the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then head home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. Should your hips be uneven, address that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. The striker moved in tears in that year, at 23 years old, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in forty appearances. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, work, believe, and should the time come they need someone in your position, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. All the more so after the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with sixteen goals, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
