Athletic Club anxiously awaits knee scan results for Guruzeta

Athletic Club faces crucial hours with Gorka Guruzeta's knee injury as the main cause for concern. The striker suffered an awkward movement in his left joint and is awaiting the results of an MRI scan that will determine the severity of the problem. Nenad Terzic, the Basque side's head coach, admitted at a press conference that the situation is far from encouraging.

• Guruzeta injured his left knee after an awkward movement during the match.
• Terzic admits the injury does not look good and asks for patience until a diagnosis is confirmed.
• The striker already suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in 2019.
• The MRI scan results are expected within one or two days.
• Losing Guruzeta would reduce Terzic's attacking options in his tactical setup.

What happened to Guruzeta's left knee

The Athletic striker felt an uncomfortable sensation in his left knee after an unfortunate movement, an incident that spread concern through the dressing room and the dugout. The forward, who turned 30 in September, is now undergoing the relevant medical tests to determine whether there is structural damage to the joint.

The coaching staff is being extremely cautious. Terzic himself was visibly affected by what happened and made it clear that there is still no confirmed diagnosis for his player's knee.

What Terzic said about Guruzeta's injury

At the moment it does not look very good... but... please... I hope you understand that this is not the right time to... to... give news when we still do not have the full diagnosis. I think it will take one or two days to have a clear diagnosis on this.

The German coach called for caution and asked for time to understand the full extent of the problem. The MRI scan will be the test that determines the next steps for the striker and the Bilbao club.

Guruzeta's history of knee injuries

The forward's medical history adds further concern to the matter. Guruzeta already suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee in 2019, a serious injury that shaped his career. The Athletic coach did not hide that this precedent is on everyone's mind: "Unfortunately he has already had experience with knee injuries," he said.

What options Terzic has if he loses Guruzeta

A potential absence for Guruzeta would force a reshuffle of Athletic's attacking unit. The striker has featured in five of the eight league matches played by the team this season and has established himself as a clear alternative in the German coach's tactical plans.

Terzic sees the most advanced position as a trio made up of Iñaki Williams, Guruzeta and Maroan. Losing one of its members would open the door to moving Álex Berenguer into a more advanced role, a player who already knows that profile of play, or to using Álvaro Djaló.

Djaló, a back-up option without minutes this season

The Guinea-Bissau international has not featured for Terzic at the start of the league campaign and, as things stand, he is not seen as a realistic option to replace Guruzeta if the striker is ruled out. His limited involvement reduces the German's alternatives, leaving tactical tweaks or repositioning wide players as the most likely paths.

A poor league start makes the situation even worse

Concern over Guruzeta's fitness comes on top of a league start that is falling short of expectations. Athletic have only won two of the seven matches they have completed in the domestic competition. The game against Rayo Vallecano, which would have been the eighth, was suspended after 13 minutes.

The Basque side is due a period of deep reflection, but the immediate priority is to get players back and clarify how long Guruzeta will be out of action.