‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s road from injury table to success with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward competed in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. On his next visit he took the field in the country, against Sunderland weeks after, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, sure enough, he repeated the feat. When he returned to the city to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, also. “In fact,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did their duty: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the attacker admits, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, it’s typical. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the usual talk. I’m not certain how true it was, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, the city, the early training is set to begin; after it, the short journey to Loiu and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to face Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a tough year for Athletic, partly because of the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. However, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, 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, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river flanked by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he admits.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that produced Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his top-level debut in that summer, he experienced a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a return before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the first team but every phase you advance through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his first game and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I look back on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it helps. You develop habits previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then head home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, all resources are available, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. With hip imbalance, address that. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed upset in that year, aged 23, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
