‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to scoring with Athletic

Whenhe debut appearance the Athletic striker played in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at the English ground in September 2015, he scored. On his next visit he played in England, against the English side following that, he scored. Another occasion, against Manchester City soon after, sure enough, he did it once more. As he revisited to Manchester to take on Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did their duty: he was replaced.

“I became very upset,” the attacker admits, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, you know how it is. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Man United, the typical thing. It’s unclear how true it was, but had they contacted me, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the facility, the Basque Country, the morning session is about to start; following that, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another trip to the UK, on this occasion to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words lights him up. This is proving a tough year for the club, due in part to the requirements of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. Yet, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.

In the the period since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a final at home by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway surrounded by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in four decades. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are unique and returning after absence in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.

Guruzeta thought it difficult enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the ex-La Real star his father and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he experienced a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.

“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the first team but every phase you progress through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his first game and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and I suffered the ACL injury.

“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it shifted the outlook. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it helps. You develop habits you didn’t have. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then return home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, address that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, improve it more. Every small aspect: perform them.

“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles repeatedly. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”

You also have to play. The striker moved emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually a vacancy arises for your role, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Particularly after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|