‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s journey from gurney to goals with Athletic Bilbao

Thehe first time the Athletic striker featured in English soil, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in September 2015, he found the net. On his next visit he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats weeks after, he converted. The third time, against the Citizens six weeks after that, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to Manchester to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he did it once more. An excellent finish, too. “Actually,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they substituted him.

“I got well angry,” the attacker says, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the second half: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, you know how it is. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the typical thing. It’s unclear if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”

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At the facility, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to Loiu airport and a further journey to England, now to play Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for Athletic, partially owing to the pressures of their participation. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in the continental stage. However, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.

In the three years since he had rejoined the team, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway accompanied by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware 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 couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.

Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to make the first team and that proved true. The son of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he went through a serious knee problem, being released, a demotion and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of their lives.

“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but each step you go through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his bow and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and I suffered the ACL injury.

“It was a huge blow but I look back on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it aids growth. You develop habits new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At the complex, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: do them.

“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”

Game time is essential. The striker moved emotionally in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he scored three times in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”

No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|