Grounded Gersbach focused on job at hand
EXCLUSIVE: Socceroos defender Alex Gersbach has enjoyed a stellar season with Norwegian champion Rosenborg, but he says the hard work has only just begun.
Success has come quickly for Alex Gersbach since leaving the A-League to take up a deal with Norwegian champion Rosenborg in January.
When beIN SPORTS tracked him down, the 19 year-old was basking in the glow of his new club's second consecutive title win, which was sealed five weeks before the scheduled end of the season, in November.
In the eight months since trading Sydney FC for Europe, the young defender has played in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and experienced increasing amounts of game-time for the Socceroos.
Reflecting on a season of dizzying highs which includes 23 appearances for his new club, Gersbach said: “I was confident I would play here (at Rosenborg) and that was one of the reasons I came over here. I’ve played a fair bit but now it’s important that I cement my spot in the team,”.
Rosenborg cruised to its 24th league title with 62 points in 25 matches, 21 points ahead of second-placed Brann Bergen, which had a game in hand.
While Gersbach admits it can be a challenge to stay motivated after such a dominant display, he has set the bar high for the rest of the season, as Rosenborg hopes to become the first Norwegian side to win the double in two consecutive seasons.
“We’ve still got five games to go in the season so it may be tough to stay motivated in the league now, but we have a cup semi-final coming up so that will help to keep us motivated,” he said. “Rosenborg won the double last season, now It’s important for us to win the cup again, we’re in the semi-final and I think it will be a really good year if we win the double again.”
Plenty of suitors will have their eyes on Gersbach, but the young left-back insists he will be staying put next season.
“My mind is definitely set on staying at Rosenborg next season and I’m really looking forward to it.”
After Rosenborg clinched the title with a 3-1 win over fierce rival Molde, Gersbach and his team-mates were greeted by a rapturous reception when the team bus arrived back in Trondheim.
“It was nice to have our fans travel down to Molde, and the atmosphere after the game in the dressing room after the game was really cool and everyone in the club is buzzing.
“It was just really nice and extra special to win the league playing our main rivals Molde.”
Gersbach will have one eye on the 26 October, when Rosenborg takes on Boda Glimpt in the NM Cup semi-final.
