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Aleksandar Dragović has made a proud number of appearances for the national team
Aleksandar Dragović is on track to mark a milestone for the Austrian national team. The 29-year-old has 85 internationals ahead of Nations League matches against Northern Ireland and Norway, so the 100 may drop next year if the ÖFB team plays at least 15 matches.
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According to his own statements, Dragović is proud of the statistics from his previous mission. “As a child, I never would have thought of joining the national team, and now I have played 85 games. But for me, success is paramount,” the defender said in Vienna on Friday. “I am happy to be part of each course.”
Little playing time at the regular club
Dragović made his debut on June 6, 2009 with a 0-1 victory in qualifying for the World Cup in Serbia and has since become an integral part of the national team. “I am proud every time I wear the team jersey,” said the Viennese. In the all-time standings, Dragović is ex aequo with Marko Arnautović in fifth place, Karl Koller has only one game to play in fourth place. “To be fair, it has to be said that there have been fewer international matches in the past,” admitted Dragović.
The defender knows, however, that he cannot rest on his laurels. If you permanently miss regular match training, which is currently the case in Leverkusen, the ÖFB’s usual venue falters. Therefore, a change of club in winter is not excluded. “Now I am completely focused on the team and Leverkusen. Then they will see what is coming in December, then they will sit down with the management and see what is best for me.”
Participation in the European Championship should not be jeopardized by being a reservist in the factory club. “It’s not beneficial that I don’t play in Leverkusen. But I played in the European Championship qualifiers with little practice,” Dragović said.
Joy of Arnautović’s return
But he was not irreplaceable, the former Austrian emphasized. This also applies to ÖFB stars David Alaba and Marko Arnautović, “although of course they are very important to the team, don’t get them wrong. But personally I think that a Messi is also replaceable,” said Dragović.
Arnautovic is definitely irreplaceable when it comes to the atmosphere within the team. “For sure there will be a bit more laughs,” Dragović suggested as Arnautovic arrived at the ÖFB camp, which is expected on Saturday. “We are happy that he is back. He is important to us on and off the court. I am looking forward to hearing his stories.”
Julian Baumgartlinger also welcomed the return of the Chinese legionnaire. “We’re glad he’s here, it’ll definitely be louder and more fun. But that doesn’t mean we weren’t in a good mood earlier.” The ÖFB captain also said of Arnautovic: “He likes to be the center of attention. You need someone who is not afraid to be loud and have fun.”
Firmly planned victory against Northern Ireland
Even without Arnautovic, according to Dragović, a victory against Northern Ireland should be achieved on Sunday and thus another step towards the Nations League group victory will be taken. “We want to be the best, that’s our goal,” said the defender.
The Northern Irish suffered a bitter defeat on Thursday with the 1: 2 at home after extra time against Slovakia in the European Championship play-off. “That they played 120 minutes is perhaps a small advantage for us. But they will recover and try to show a good reaction for their country and their fans.” ÖFB’s team could have benefited more from a Northern Ireland win at Windsor Park, Dragović suspected. “I would have preferred they qualify. Then they probably would have celebrated two days.”
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