He enjoys time in the bosom of his family and friends. Dragović has also taken part in charitable match and granted www.sportnet.at big interview we’d like to bring to your attention.
- The expiring year wasn’t easy for you in Ukraine, considering all circumstances…
- Today everything is fine in Kyiv, but in March there were some problems. I was never afraid of what was going on. The club cared about our security.
- Your motherland is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. What does richness men to you?
- First of all it’s health. If you don’t have it money is useless. Family is also very important. Fortunately my grandfather and grandmother have brought me up properly, so I don’t think about richness. One should just be a decent person.
- You often mention your grandfather. Is he your biggest fan?
- He is, but he’s also the hypercritic. When I got my first red card this season he was angry with me for two days!
- Dynamo, Shakhtar and Dnipro are the UPL leaders. What was surprising for you this season?
- Before the start of the season we knew that we are better than Metalist. We’ve reached the winter break without a single defeat in domestic league. That means we are good team and work of our coaching staff is effective.
- Aleks, many experts state that you are top-level centre back. Do you feel this way?
- I still must work a lot. I want to be the best. It’s important to play stably on the top level, like Sergio Ramos does, for example. One can achieve everything step-by-step.
- Is that true that you are Gregor Schlierenzauer’s (ski jumper, 2010 Olympic champion) like-minded fellow?
- Yes, he is a true professional, I like his ideas.
- To be successful a sportsman must always stay fit…
- Sure, one must think about nutrition and other factors, but there are a lot of people in football, who forget about their profession after training sessions.
- What nutrition advice has he given you?
- First of all one should eat slowly.
- What defender is exemplar for you?
- I like Sergio Ramos. Speaking about the best one as of today, that’s Raphaël Varane.
- Would you like to join Arsenal London and thus make your dream come true?
- Well I’d better join Real Madrid instead (laughing). Of course there are a lot of rumors about me, but my contract with Dynamo will be valid for three and a half more years. If I get some offer I’ll ponder it.
- What are your criteria when you choose a club? Why did you join Dynamo?
- When I chose Dynamo it was a real challenge for me. The team usually lost against Shakhtar in recent years. I wanted to accept such challenge as it’s my cup of tea.
- Mathias Sammer (Bayern Munich sporting director) has stated that Dragović is interesting player, but they have enough centre backs…
- I’ve never heard of it till now. I’m still to refine myself. For example I’m dissatisfied with the way I played for Austria against Brazil… That bothers me and I must keep working.
- Doesn’t “kick and rush” football accord with your philosophy?
- It doesn’t, but I’m a centre back and my main task is to defend well. Still today defenders must be able to join attacks.
- What does good football mean to you?
- It means being much better than everyone else, like Bayern Munich.
- Active pressure and counterattacks philosophy has become very effective. Borussia Dortmund prove that. What is the future of football in your opinion?
- I think it will be a bit different. Guardiola uses another type of tactics. He likes tiki-taka while Mourinho prefers defensive football, for example.
- How difficult was it to oppose Neymar?
- He has great technical skills. It’s very difficult to stop him alone.
- Luiz Adriano features in the Ukrainian Premier League. What can you tell about him?
- He’s a fussy player, who commits a lot of sneak fouls. I think he can feature for any top-club.
- Who’s the best striker you’ve ever faced?
- That’s Zlatan Ibrahimović. He’s very strong.
* translation from German by Oleh Zadernovsky
