‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s road from gurney to goals with the Basque club
Thehe initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta featured in England, an teenage playing for Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he played in the country, against Sunderland weeks after, he scored. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, indeed, he did it once more. When he returned to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, too. “In fact,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did their duty: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker admits, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, you know how it is. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about Man United, the typical thing. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At Lezama, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; post-session, the short journey to Loiu and a further journey to England, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. This is proving a challenging campaign for the team, partially owing to the requirements of being here. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and lost against Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. But, take in the big picture, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in four decades. He’s now the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he states.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. He joined Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he experienced a serious knee problem, being released, a drop in category and a recall before he could earn his place, returning at 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the top level but with every stage you progress through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his bow and that period. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the perspective. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then go home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, 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 collide with opponents who have experienced contact repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. He left in tears in 2020, at 23 years old, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and when eventually they need someone in your position, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the previous season which, sometimes, was about endurance. Previously the main threat with sixteen goals, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
