After a memorable year for Socceroo Alex Gersbach – which saw him win the double in his first season at Norwegian club Rosenborg – the young defender is now eyeing a big 2017.
Gersbach, 19, travelled home to Yowie Bay over the Christmas break to catch up with family and friends. He told the Leader he was happy with his first season playing football in Europe after joining Norwegian heavyweights Rosenborg, from Sydney FC, at the beginning of 2016.
He now wants to cement his spot in Rosenborg’s starting side for the up-coming 2017 season.
“I’m really happy with how the first season panned out, I got to play for a fantastic club with some fantastic people and fans and fantastic players,” he said. “I was happy with the amount of game time I got and next season I really want to nail down that left-back position. I need to work hard in January and I want to start the season as the first-choice left back.”
Gersbach said he started about 13 of the club’s 30 games in the Norwegian top flight last season. He explained he started to lose his starting spot towards the back end of the season, and would work hard to cement himself in the run on side this year.
Gersbach said to win the double – both the league title and the Norwegian Football Cup – in his first season at Rosenborg was amazing.
“The main highlight from last season would have to be when we mathematically won the league away from home at our rivals, Molde, beating them 3-1. That was when we knew we had won the league. I would have to say that away game was the highlight of the year.”
The league title marked Rosenborg’s 24th title – making them the most successful club in the country’s history. The title also sees Rosenborg gain a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds later this year.
Gersbach made his debut for Australia in a friendly against Greece last June and now has two caps next to his name. He was part of the Australian squad throughout 2016, but Bournemouth defender Brad Smith is currently being preferred at left back.
“It was really exciting and I was really happy to get my debut in those games and hopefully I can work my way into the playing side,” he said. “I was involved in every camp [last] year, I think, but have not had much game time.”
He said he would love to go to the FIFA World Cup and represent his country. “Of course. That is one of my goals to break into that starting side and go to the World Cup.”
Gersbach is due back at pre-season training on January 9 in Norway. The Norwegian top flight, the Eliteserien, begins again in April.
