‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s path from injury table to success with the Basque club
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward played in England, an young representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in fall 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he took the field in the country, against Sunderland following that, he netted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, well, he scored again. As he revisited to Manchester to face United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he scored again. A spectacular strike, also. “Actually,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” Therefore the team did their duty: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker reveals, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed deal, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is set to begin; after it, the short journey to the airport and another trip to England, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It has become a challenging campaign for the club, due in part to the requirements of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates a final at home by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway flanked by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he states.
He considered it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the former Real Sociedad player Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his top-level debut in that summer, he experienced a ACL injury, being released, a demotion and a call back before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of his career.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the first team but each step you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his debut and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it helps. You adopt practices new to you. 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. Work, precaution. Strength training. With hip imbalance, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: perform them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. Highly robust. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved in tears in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. At Sabadell in 2020-21, he scored three times in 40 games. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and when eventually they need someone for your role, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. All the more so after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
