‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s path from injury table to scoring with Athletic
Whenhe debut appearance the Athletic striker featured in England, an 18-year-old appearing for the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he found the net. On his next visit he took the field in England, against Sunderland weeks after, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, well, he did it once more. When he returned to Manchester to face United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, too. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” Thus the club did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the attacker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the typical thing. It’s unclear the validity, but had they contacted me, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, now to take on the Magpies in the UCL on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for the club, partially owing to the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a domestic final by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are unique and debuting in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he says.
The player believed it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. Born to the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that developed the coach, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his top-level debut in that summer, he experienced a torn cruciate, being released, a demotion and a return before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of their lives.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the top level but each step you advance through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his first game and early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it helps. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved upset in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. Especially after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with a high tally, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
