‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to scoring with Athletic Bilbao

Whenhe debut appearance the Athletic striker competed in English soil, an young representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in September 2015, he found the net. On his next visit he played in England, against the English side weeks after, he netted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, indeed, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to take on Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he scored again. An excellent finish, also. “Actually,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did their duty: they substituted him.

“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker reveals, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, it’s typical. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the typical thing. I have no idea if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”

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At Lezama, Bilbao, the early training is about to start; after it, the short journey to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words lights him up. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. However, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.

In the three years since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a domestic final by United, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he states.

The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and that proved true. The son of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He joined Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, being released, a drop in category and a recall before he could earn his place, returning at 26 to live the best days of their lives.

“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in six games between his first game and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.

“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits new to you. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then go home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, you have everything, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.

“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”

Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. All the more so after the prior campaign which, at times, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|