‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to scoring with the Basque club
Whenhe initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta competed in the UK, an 18-year-old appearing for the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he played in British turf, against the English side two months later, he converted. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he repeated the feat. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, also. “In fact,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” So Athletic did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the forward admits, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain the validity, but had they contacted me, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the facility, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another trip to the UK, on this occasion to face Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. This is proving a difficult season for the team, partially owing to the pressures of their participation. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. However, consider the broader view, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a semi-final participant, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in four decades. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the European competition, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
The player believed it hard enough just to make the first team and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that developed the Arsenal manager, the former star and the tactician. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he experienced a ACL injury, being released, a drop in category and a call back before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of his career.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his bow and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as something positive because it made me change the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it’s beneficial. You adopt practices new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then go home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, you have everything, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, improve it more. Every small aspect: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles countless occasions. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
Game time is essential. The striker moved emotionally in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, work, believe, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Particularly after the previous season which, on occasions, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
