‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s road from gurney to goals with the Basque club
The debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta played in the UK, an teenage representing Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Adams Park in September 2015, he scored. The second time he took the field in British turf, against the English side two months later, he scored. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, indeed, he repeated the feat. Upon his comeback to Manchester to face United at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, too. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the attacker says, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I was pretty good. They didn’t let me play the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized deal, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, you know how it is. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Man United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain how true it was, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At Lezama, the city, the morning session is ready to commence; post-session, the quick travel to the airport and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words lights him up. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for the club, due in part to the requirements of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. However, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a semi-final participant, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river flanked by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and debuting in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. Born to the one-time rival player his father and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he suffered a ACL injury, dropped, a drop in category and a call back before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the top level but with every stage you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his debut and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as something positive because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then return home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, address 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 been in battles 200,000 times. Extremely powerful. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. He left in tears in that year, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, dedication, confidence, and if one day they need someone for your role, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. All the more so after the previous season which, sometimes, was about endurance. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
