‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club

The first time the Spanish forward competed in the UK, an teenage playing for Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. On his next visit he took the field in England, against the Black Cats following that, he netted. His third outing, against Manchester City soon after, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: he was replaced.

“I became very upset,” the forward admits, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about Man United, the typical thing. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the facility, the city, the day’s first practice is about to start; following that, the short journey to the airport and another flight to England, now to face Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Uttering the name makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a tough year for the team, partially owing to the requirements of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in the continental stage. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.

In the the period since he had rejoined the team, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a final at home by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway accompanied by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the first title in a long wait. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are unique and debuting in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.

The player believed it challenging enough just to make the first team and that proved true. The son of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of his career.

“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but each step you progress 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 a handful of matches between his first game and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I tear my cruciate.

“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it helps. You develop habits new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then return home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, you have everything, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Strength training. With hip imbalance, address that. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. Every small aspect: execute them.

“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. Highly robust. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”

You also have to play. He left upset in that year, aged 23, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in forty appearances. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone where you play, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. When they decided to call again, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. All the more so after last year which, at times, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|