‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to success with the Basque club

Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward played in England, an 18-year-old representing the reserve team against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he scored. During his subsequent match he played in British turf, against Sunderland following that, he netted. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, well, he scored again. When he returned to Manchester to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, as well. “In fact,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Thus the club did what was necessary: he was replaced.

“I became very upset,” the forward says, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I was without a signed my contract, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, it’s typical. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about Man United, the usual talk. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the facility, Bilbao, the morning session is set to begin; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu and another trip to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a difficult season for the team, due in part to the pressures of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.

In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by Manchester United, and has traveled on a traditional boat through the waterway accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.

Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to earn a spot 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, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, dropped, a relegation and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of the club’s history.

“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the top level but with every stage you go through you’re still there and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his debut and that period. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.

“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a turning point because it made me change the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it helps. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then return home, as a youngster does. At the complex, all resources are available, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: do them.

“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. 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, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the he found his form. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and when eventually they need someone where you play, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

No wonder he says appreciate the experience. All the more so after the previous season which, sometimes, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|