‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to scoring with the Basque club
Thehe first time the Spanish forward competed in England, an young appearing for the youth squad against German opponents at the English ground in the 2015 season, he hit the target. The second time he played in England, against Sunderland two months later, he netted. His third outing, against the Citizens not long later, well, he repeated the feat. When he returned to the city to take on Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he scored again. A spectacular strike, too. “In fact,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the forward reveals, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We went to play United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized deal, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea the validity, but had they contacted me, I would have wanted to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, the city, the morning session is about to start; after it, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another flight to Britain, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the UCL on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. This is proving a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the demands of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. But, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation about him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in four decades. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. The son of the former Real Sociedad player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that produced the Arsenal manager, the former star and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after his first-team bow in that summer, he went through a torn cruciate, the cut, a drop in category and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the top level but each step you go through you’re still there and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his first game and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as something positive because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then return home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. He left in tears in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he netted three goals in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and when eventually a vacancy arises where you play, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and make the UCL … pfff.”
No wonder he says appreciate the experience. Especially after last year which, on occasions, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|