‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic Bilbao
Whenhe debut appearance the Athletic striker featured in England, an 18-year-old representing Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in fall 2015, he hit the target. The second time he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he converted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, sure enough, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to face United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, as well. “In fact,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” Thus the club did what was necessary: they took him off.
“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker says, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed agreement, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, it’s typical. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at the club. It’s a privilege.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the facility, the Basque Country, the morning session is ready to commence; after it, the quick travel to the airport and another flight to the UK, on this occasion to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words lights him up. This is proving a challenging campaign for Athletic, due in part to the pressures of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in Europe. However, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.
The player believed it hard enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. Born to the ex-La Real star his father and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the coach, the former star and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of his career.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you progress through you’re persisting and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his debut and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it made me change the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. Every small aspect: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved emotionally in 2020, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually they need someone in your position, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Particularly after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
