Thehe debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in England, an teenage appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in fall 2015, he scored. During his subsequent match he took the field in England, against Sunderland weeks after, he scored. Another occasion, against the Citizens soon after, sure enough, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, as well. “Actually,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the attacker says, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized deal, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain the validity, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
Real Sociedad release pressure with surreal victory in Basque derby like no other
At the training ground, the Basque Country, the early training is set to begin; following that, the quick travel to the airport and a further journey to the UK, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a final at home by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel through the waterway surrounded by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the UCL, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
He considered it challenging enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced the coach, the legendary midfielder and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he went through a torn cruciate, being released, a drop in category and a return before he could earn his place, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the top level but every phase you progress through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his debut and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it helps. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then go home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, all resources are available, so do everything. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All the minor details: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to collide with opponents who have crashed into players repeatedly. Highly robust. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. He left upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and when eventually they need someone where you play, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Especially after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was about endurance. From top scorer with a high tally, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
