‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to scoring with Athletic Bilbao
The first time the Spanish forward featured in English soil, an teenage appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he found the net. The second time he played in British turf, against the Black Cats two months later, he converted. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, sure enough, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the northwest to face United at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he did it once more. An excellent finish, too. “Truly,” he states, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” So Athletic did what was necessary: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the forward says, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about Manchester United, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the morning session is set to begin; after it, the quick travel to Loiu and a further journey to England, this time to face Newcastle in the Champions League on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the requirements of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary flanked by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in four decades. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to make the first team and he was right. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he suffered a torn cruciate, dropped, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to live the best days of his career.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the senior squad but every phase you progress through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his first game and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as something positive because it forced me to alter the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, you have everything, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Strength training. With hip imbalance, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All the minor details: perform them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed upset in 2020, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually a vacancy arises for your role, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Particularly after last year which, sometimes, was about endurance. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
