Back
13.06.2021Bayer 04

Dragovic: 'We want to show our true colours'

As the most experienced player in the Euros squad, Aleksandar Dragovic will help lead the Austrian national team. The 30-year-old has 90 full international caps and has made over 400 club appearances. The Vienna-born player was suitably relaxed in his Euros interview with bayer04.de. Dragovic, who will play for Red Start Belgrade next season, talks about the bumpy start to qualification, his long-standing teammate and fellow countrymen Julian Baumgartlinger as well as a score to settle from 2016.
crop_imago1001716096h.jpg

Drago, Austria started the Euro qualifiers with two defeats at the start of 2019 and then want on an impressive run, picking up 19 out of a possible 21 points…
Dragovic:
"The order of the qualifiers was just unlucky. Poland were tough opening opponents as expected (0-1) and it's not easy to win games in Israel (2-4). We did analyse the two matches as usual and not everything was that bad by a long way. In spite of the defeats we didn't play that badly. Therefore we continued to believe in ourselves. From that point, every game was obviously a final for us. And we did it in the end!"

Two thirds of the Austria squad play in the Bundesliga. Do games against each other in the league help the time in the national team?
Dragovic:
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether you play in China or in Germany. The players mostly only face each other in two games in the league per season. It's much more important that all the players regularly play for their clubs. It's about getting match practice and building confidence. And if that happens in the top league – and it's even better."

You recently became the Austria international with the fourth most appearances. How do you see your role in the national team – both on and off the pitch – at a big tournament like this?
Dragovic:
"No player is exclusively in charge. We don't have a clear hierarchy as you do for example with Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid. Everybody helps everybody else – on and off the pitch. That's our starting point and that's shaped us over recent years."

Your teammate Julian Baumgartlinger is currently working hard on his comeback and the chance to play in the Euro finals. Do you think Baumi will be completely fit for the opening match?
Dragovic:"He’s made really good progress and is an incredibly important part of the team as captain. I'll be very happy if he leads us out onto the pitch in the first match against North Macedonia. Knowing him, there is a chance."

The Netherlands, Ukraine and Euro newcomers North Macedonia. How do you rate the chances for your Austria team. How far do you think you can go this year?
Dragovic:
"We've got a score to settle from 2016 (Austria went out bottom of the group, ed.) and we owe our fans something this year. We want to show our true colours. It's an absolutely balanced group. North Macedonia, the supposed underdog, have beaten Germany. There are no easy opponents at the European Championship. The most important thing for us is the first match. That's what we're focused on."

Related News

Julie Jorde
Women - 28.06.2025

Julie Jorde makes permanent move to Brøndby IF

The Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.

Show more
Faye und Falkenberg
Bayer 04 - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 sign Senegalese central defender Faye

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the Senegalese central defender Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga side from Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken. Faye has penned a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030.

Show more
Bundesliga-Spielplan
Bundesliga - 27.06.2025

Bundesliga fixtures 2025/26: Werkself host Hoffenheim in opener

The German Football League (DFL) has published the fixture list for the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Bayer 04 start the new season with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The first away game for the Werkself is at Werder Bremen. The final Bundesliga fixture is on 16 May 2026 against newly promoted Hamburg SV with a 15:30 CEST kick-off at the BayArena.

Show more
Paulina Bartz
Women - 27.06.2025

Bayer 04 agree new deal with Paulina Bartz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have given offensive player Paulina Bartz a long-term contract. The 20-year-old has penned a new deal to 30 June 2027.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 26.06.2025

Wirtz voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for 2024/25

Germany international Florian Wirtz has been voted Bayer 04 ‘Player of the Season’ for the second time in a row. The 21-year-old, who will play for Premier League champions Liverpool next season, received more than half of all votes cast in the annual poll organised by Bayer 04.

Show more