‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club
Whenhe initial occasion the Spanish forward competed in English soil, an young playing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he found the net. The second time he took the field in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he scored. Another occasion, against Manchester City six weeks after that, indeed, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, too. “Truly,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” Thus the club did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the attacker says, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the typical thing. It’s unclear the validity, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; post-session, the brief trip to the airport and a further journey to England, this time to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words lights him up. This is proving a difficult season for the club, due in part to the requirements of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. But, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in four decades. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
He considered it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. Born to the former Real Sociedad player his father and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic 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 finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the top level but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his first game and early 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You adopt practices you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then return home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. With hip imbalance, correct it. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed upset in that year, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and if one day a vacancy arises for your role, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. All the more so after the prior campaign which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
