‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s road from injury table to goals with Athletic Bilbao
The debut appearance the Spanish forward played in the UK, an teenage representing Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he played in British turf, against the Black Cats weeks after, he converted. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, as well. “In fact,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the forward admits, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I’m not certain the validity, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, the city, the early training is about to start; post-session, the short journey to Loiu and another trip to the UK, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Just saying those two words lights him up. This is proving a tough year for Athletic, partially owing to the requirements of being here. Defeated late on in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in European competition. But, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation within him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a semi-final participant, prevented from reaching a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it challenging enough just to make the first team and he was right. As the child of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced the Arsenal manager, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the first team but every phase you go through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in six games between his debut and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, address that. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. All the minor details: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. The striker moved emotionally in 2020, in his early twenties, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. Especially after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|