Exclusive Q & A with Sydney FC starlet Alex Gersbach

It is a tumultuous two days for youngster Alex Gersbach who celebrates just his 18th birthday and prepares for a nerve-wracking, season-defining showdown within the same 48 hour period.

But there is not time for nerves, insists the fleet-footed full-back. Sydney must just be “tougher and stronger” than ever before.

On the eve of his side’s semi-final clash against Adelaide United, Sky Blue young-gun Alex Gersbach took time to chat with Benjamin Tosi about all things football.

O90: The squad is obviously playing in the semi-final on Saturday against Adelaide. How was the week off and the team’s confidence going into the match?

Gersbach: That week off really helped players get rid of those niggly injuries. Especially guys like Marc Janko, Milos Dimitrejivic and those players were able to have that first week of lighter training and this week they’ve got straight back into it and they’re ready for the game on Saturday as are the rest of the squad.

O90: It’s a harrowing statistic but you’ve failed to beat Adelaide in your previous four encounters this season. Is there anything different that the manager has being working on for this match?

Gersbach: Nothing really changes that much. Our game plan has obviously stayed the same it’s just this time we need to be more eager, more competitive, tougher and stronger. Hopefully we will have the home fans behind us and it will be a big turn out and I think in the end, that will get us over the line against Adelaide.

O90: On a personal note now, you’ve almost cemented that left-back position at the club this year. How has it felt being such an integral member of the squad?

Gersbach: Yeah it’s been good. Arnie [Graham Arnold] has shown a lot of faith in me and I’m really grateful for that and I’ve just been trying to repay him. Hopefully next season I can really make the left back spot mine and I’m sure Arnie will be helping me to achieve that.

O90: Brilliant. As one of the younger lads in the side, have there been any particular players which have helped you along this season and if so, who?

Gersbach: Yeah of course. One that stands out is probably our captain – Alex Brosque. He is a great captain, he helps the younger boys out a lot and makes you feel part of the team and I think that’s what makes him such a good captain. There are other guys too. Nikola Petkovic obviously playing next to me talks to me a lot and he is actually playing left-back at the moment  so he is always trying to help me improve really.

O90: It’s obviously a long-term goal of the club to promote youth. How has Graham Arnold helped you and some of the other younger players in the side?

Gersbach: Arnie is really good with all of the young players in our team. He shows faith in young players. You see, Kiki [Chris] Naumoff is starting at left-wing week in and week out. Myself and Aaron Calver as well who have played this year in the starting team which helps us with confidence. He is aways talking to us, telling us what we could be doing better and obviously the positives as well which really helps.

O90: How did your time with the AIS prepare you for life as a professional footballer?

Gersbach: I was at the AIS for two years under Tony Vidmar and Ufuk Talay and those two coaches were very good for me at the time. Obviously playing in the youth league gave us the taste of the professional environment and to add to that we were training everyday down there which started to make us really feel like professional footballers which made the transition to the A-League much easier.

O90: What are your short and long-term goals? Potentially a move overseas later on?

Gersbach: Of course, everyone young Australian player wants to go overseas – primarily to Europe and I guess that is the same for me. But first I want to cement myself at Sydney FC and establish myself in the A-League but hopefully once the time is right something will come up and I’ll get the chance to play in Europe one day. Every young Australian player’s top aspiration is also to play for the Socceroos and I’m no different – I’d love to play for the Socceroos one day and hopefully play a number of games for them. That’s the ideal goal.

O90: Being so young, you’re still developing as a player so who are your footballing idols?

Gersbach: When I was younger, being left-footed Harry Kewell comes to mind. But now, players like Cristiano Ronaldo are big, big idols. Obviously you watch them early in the morning playing in the Champions League and it just makes you admire those players.

O90: How would you rate yourself out of 10 when it comes to FIFA15? And who would you rate as the best?

Gersbach: 10/10… (Laughs)

O90: So there is no one better?

Gersbach: Nah. I actually played a tournament with Anthony Bouzanis and Kiki Naumoff yesterday and I won that tournament, undefeated.

O90: And finally, is Sebastian Ryall REALLY the biggest pest in the dressing room?

Gersbach: Yeah it’s probably true but it’s not just Seb. Terry Antonis is actually probably a bit more of a pest I’d say but Seb Ryall is always having a joke. But definitely the pest award should go to Terry.

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