‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from gurney to goals with the Basque club
The initial occasion the Spanish forward played in the UK, an young appearing for the reserve team against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he took the field in England, against Sunderland following that, he converted. Another occasion, against Manchester City six weeks after that, indeed, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, as well. “Actually,” he states, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” So Athletic did their duty: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the attacker admits, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the latter period: I was without a signed agreement, 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, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. It’s a privilege.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At Lezama, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the short journey to the airport and another flight to Britain, this time to play Newcastle in the Champions League on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a tough year for Athletic, partially owing to the demands of being here. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. However, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, Guruzeta has been a semi-final participant, prevented from reaching a final at home by Manchester United, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the first title in four decades. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are unique and returning after absence in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to make the first team and that proved true. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, the former star and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a serious knee problem, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could earn his place, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“Entering the youth system not expecting to reach the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his debut and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits new to you. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. Should your hips be uneven, address that. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have crashed into players repeatedly. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. The striker moved in tears in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. 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, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
