‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with the Basque club
Thehe first time the Athletic striker featured in the UK, an 18-year-old playing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Adams Park in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he played in British turf, against the English side two months later, he scored. The third time, against Manchester City soon after, well, he scored again. When he returned to the city to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Truly,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed deal, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, it’s typical. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the typical thing. I have no idea how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and a further journey to Britain, this time to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. This is proving a difficult season for Athletic, partially owing to the requirements of their participation. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. Yet, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the the period since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary flanked by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in a long wait. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. The son of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered 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 his career.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the top level but with every stage you progress through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his first game and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as a turning point because it made me change the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then return home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, all resources are available, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All the minor details: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. He left emotionally in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he scored three times in forty appearances. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and when eventually a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Especially after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
