Football: Dragovic vs. Bosnia likely back in the ÖFB-start-up

Vienna (APA) – Aleksandar Dragovic has been re-elected to the Austrian national football team following the loss to Sebastian Prödl's injury. The center back should begin Thursday at the Happel Stadium of the League of Nations against Bosnia and Herzegovina and will be busy holding Edin Dzeko in check.

The Bosnian star has proven his qualities, among other things, two months ago in Zenica, when he gave his team a 1-0 win over Austria. "He's a world-clbad striker, so do not lose sight of him, if he has the opportunity, he makes 90%," warned Dragovic.

The exact role of the Leverkusen player against the Bosnians is still unclear – the choice of the center position half-right in the back and those in the center or right in a triple chain. Dragovic feels prepared for each of these tasks, especially because it has been good for him at club level recently.

The 27-year-old has played 11 of 17 games in Bayer Leverkusen's season, most recently on Thursday after a 1-0 home victory over FC Zurich in the Europa League by sports director Rudi Völler. "It means that I did things right," Dragovic said.

He is now improving at Leverkusen because he prefers the current playing style of coach Heiko Herrlich rather than that of Roger Schmidt, the 2016 Dragovic presented at the Werkself. He also feels the confidence of the coach.

However, Herrlich left the defender despite his strong performance against FC Zurich in the next 0-3 in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig on the bench – without explanation. "I just had to accept that," Dragovic said.

After all, he can now prepare for two appearances in the national team. It is against Bosnia for the last chance to win the victory of the League of Nations group. The Balkan team is already defeated in Vienna with a goal difference and a goal on the outside to ensure first place. "That's why they're probably going to wait and not support, but go around, we have to try to find some gaps."

In a win with two goals difference, we would have won the direct duel with the Bosnians, but three days later, in Belfast, a win with a difference of two goals – with the exception of a goal of 2: 0 -. Dragovic hinted that in the event of a 1-0 lead against Bosnia on arrival, they would probably not put everything on a map. "It's important to have three points against the Bosnians, and then we can still play Russian roulette in Belfast."