‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to success with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe initial occasion the Athletic striker featured in England, an young representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in fall 2015, he hit the target. The second time he appeared in England, against the English side following that, he netted. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, well, he scored again. When he returned to the city to face United at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he did it once more. An excellent finish, also. “Truly,” he states, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the forward says, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was in fine form. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Man United, the usual talk. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the morning session is ready to commence; after it, the short journey to Loiu and another trip to England, this time to take on the Magpies in the UCL on midweek. Uttering the name lights him up. It has become a challenging campaign for the team, partly because of the requirements of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in Europe. However, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from 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 United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in four decades. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and that proved true. Born to the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the opposition side, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. He joined Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, being released, a drop in category and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but every phase you advance through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in six games between his debut and early 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then go home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, you have everything, so do everything. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All the minor details: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players repeatedly. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. The striker moved emotionally in 2020, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and should the time come they need someone for your role, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
