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

Thehe debut appearance the Athletic striker featured in England, an young representing Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in September 2015, he scored. On his next visit he took the field in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he netted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, well, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to Manchester to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, also. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they substituted him.

“I was furious,” the forward says, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the latter period: I was without a signed agreement, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, you know how it is. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Manchester United, the usual talk. I have no idea the validity, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the training ground, the Basque Country, the early training is ready to commence; post-session, the quick travel to the airport and another trip to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the UCL on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and lost against Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. But, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.

In the three years since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway surrounded by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.

The player believed it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. Born to the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a relegation and a return before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.

“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the first team but each step you go through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches there and I suffered the ACL injury.

“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You adopt practices new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then head home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All the minor details: do them.

“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”

Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, work, believe, and if one day a vacancy arises in your position, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

No wonder he says savor the moment. Particularly after last year which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|