After 1:1 in Hartberg

Aleks Dragovic: “Hartberg was like Manchester City”

Aleks Dragovic struggled against Hartberg.(Bild: GEPA)

Austrias Aleks Dragovic caused a stir with a statement after the 1:1 draw against TSV Hartberg. He compared the Styrians to top English club Manchester City.

"Before the game, I would have clearly wished for three points," the 33-year-old began his analysis on the Sky microphone, "but the way the game went, the point is like a three-pointer for us. Hartberg were better over 90 minutes, you have to be honest. We have to analyze that and improve."

Austria got off to the better start, with goalscorer Maurice Malone putting the Violets ahead in the third minute. "Then we let ourselves fall back a bit and became more and more passive. Hartberg play outstanding out wide, are very confident on the ball and have a clear plan," said Dragovic. "I didn't know that I would have to play against Manchester City for the second time."

As a reminder: Dragovic played with Red Star Belgrade against Manchester City in the group stage of the Champions League last season.

"They played us here"
Austria coach Stephan Helm had also imagined a different outcome to the visit, with "much more control, much more dominance, but we didn't bring that onto the pitch". Goalscorer Malone was not sparing with self-criticism. "Hartberg played a great game. We lost our grip after 1-0, they played us down, that shouldn't happen," said the German.

The Violets want to do better against LASK next Sunday (5pm).