‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club
Whenhe debut appearance the Spanish forward played in England, an teenage playing for the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in the 2015 season, he hit the target. On his next visit he took the field in British turf, against the Black Cats two months later, he converted. His third outing, against Manchester City soon after, well, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the northwest to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in that year, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, too. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the attacker admits, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the second half: I was without a signed my contract, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, you know how it is. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about Man United, the typical thing. It’s unclear if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the facility, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; following that, the quick travel to Loiu and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It has become a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their past eight league games and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. But, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway surrounded by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in a long wait. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. Born to the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that developed the coach, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. He joined Athletic at seventeen but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he suffered a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the first team but every phase you progress through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in six games between his first game and early 2019. “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 massive setback but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it made me change the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it helps. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Strength training. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players 200,000 times. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; the same applies.”
Game time is essential. He left emotionally in that year, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the scoring picked up. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and should the time come they need someone where you play, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was about endurance. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
