‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to goals with the Basque club
Thehe debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in England, an 18-year-old appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at the English ground in September 2015, he scored. The second time he played in British turf, against the English side weeks after, he scored. Another occasion, against the Citizens not long later, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in 2017, he scored again. A spectacular strike, too. “Truly,” he says, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed deal, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Man United, the usual talk. It’s unclear the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At the facility, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is about to start; following that, the short journey to the airport and another trip to England, now to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, due in part to the demands of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. But, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a domestic final by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in four decades. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
The player believed it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. As the child of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the opposition side, the forward is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that developed Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. He joined Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he went through a torn cruciate, dropped, a relegation and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to experience the peak of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the first team but with every stage you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and I tear my cruciate.
“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then go home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, address that. 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 legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. The striker moved in tears in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the following period, the scoring picked up. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says savor the moment. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
