‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s journey from gurney to success with the Basque club
The debut appearance the Spanish forward played in English soil, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in fall 2015, he found the net. The second time he took the field in England, against Sunderland two months later, he scored. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the city to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, as well. “Truly,” he says, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.
“I was furious,” the attacker says, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, the city, the early training is set to begin; after it, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, partially owing to the demands of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. But, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a semi-final participant, stopped at the gates a domestic final by United, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway surrounded by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the team’s initial silverware in four decades. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the UCL, where they are countercultural and debuting in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he admits.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He joined Athletic at his teens but after his top-level debut in that summer, he went through a torn cruciate, dropped, a drop in category and a return before he could earn his place, making his comeback to experience the peak of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but with every stage you go through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his debut and that period. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. Every small aspect: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but there’s more to do. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. The striker moved upset in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in that season, he got three strikes in forty appearances. 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, dedication, confidence, 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, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, sometimes, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
