‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s road from gurney to success with Athletic Bilbao

Whenhe first time Gorka Guruzeta competed in England, an teenage representing Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he found the net. On his next visit he played in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, indeed, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the northwest to face United at the sports complex in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, too. “Truly,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” So Athletic did their duty: they substituted him.

“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the second half: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the typical thing. I have no idea if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at Athletic. It’s a privilege.”

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At the facility, Bilbao, the early training is ready to commence; following that, the brief trip to the airport and another flight to the UK, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for the club, due in part to the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have secured just a single victory of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in European competition. But, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.

In the the period since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a domestic final by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river accompanied by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in 40 years. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.

The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and he was right. As the child of the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his first-team bow in that summer, he went through a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could truly get a chance, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.

“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his bow and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and my knee gave way.

“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as a turning point because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it aids growth. You develop habits previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then head home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. Every small aspect: execute them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”

Game time is essential. The striker moved in tears in 2020, aged 23, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and if one day the requirement appears where you play, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with sixteen goals, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|