Austria‘s national soccer team will face Serbia in the return leg in March in the fight for promotion back to the top division of the Nations League. This was the result of the UEFA play-off draw on Friday in Nyon.
The Austrians lost direct promotion to League A last Sunday with a 1-1 home draw against Slovenia. The ÖFB selection will play the first leg of the relegation at home on March 20th, the second leg will follow on March 23rd in Serbia.
The Serbs finished their Nations League group in League A in the fall in third place behind Spain and Denmark and left Switzerland behind. The Austrians won the most recent international duel with the team around star striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus Turin 2-1 in a test before the European Championships in Germany in Vienna in June.
Home game on March 20th probably in Vienna
The ÖFB must inform UEFA of the venue for the relegation first leg by next Friday (November 29th). In all likelihood it will take place in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The only possible alternative seems to be the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, which, however, only holds 16,500 and therefore significantly fewer spectators. “The probability is very high that we will play at one of the two locations,” explained ÖFB managing director Bernhard Neuhold.
Team boss Ralf Rangnick’s ÖFB selection was relegated from the A-League of the Nations League in 2022. In League B, after the final draw against the Slovenians, they finished second in the group behind Norway, which meant relegation against a third-place team in the top division. The World Cup qualification for the 2026 finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada does not begin until June at the earliest for Austria. The draw will take place on December 13th in Zurich. The ÖFB team is placed in pot one and escapes Europe’s strongest nations.
**How does Bernhard Neuhold view the importance of fan support during crucial games for Austria’s national soccer team?**
**Interview with Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB)**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us today, Bernhard. Austria’s national soccer team has an important matchup coming up against Serbia in the Nations League. Can you share your thoughts on the upcoming matches and what they mean for the team?
**Bernhard Neuhold:** Absolutely, it’s a crucial time for us. The matches against Serbia are essential not only for our promotion aspirations but also for restoring our confidence after a disappointing draw against Slovenia. The team is eager to prove themselves and reclaim their place in League A.
**Interviewer:** The first leg is set to take place in Vienna on March 20th. What can you tell us about the venue and the atmosphere you anticipate?
**Bernhard Neuhold:** We’re aiming to host the first leg at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which can accommodate a large crowd and is a home advantage for us. The atmosphere is always electric there, and we believe it will energize our players. The Raiffeisen Arena in Linz is a backup option, but the Ernst Happel is clearly our preference for such a pivotal match.
**Interviewer:** Austria faced tough competition in the Nations League group stages this fall. How does the team plan to turn things around after being relegated from League A?
**Bernhard Neuhold:** We’re focusing on understanding our weaknesses from the previous matches. The team under Ralf Rangnick is working hard on tactical adjustments and fostering the right mindset. We also have a strong history against Serbia, having won our last match against them, which helps boost morale going into these crucial games.
**Interviewer:** With the World Cup qualification round set to begin in June, how is the team balancing their focus between the Nations League and upcoming qualifiers?
**Bernhard Neuhold:** It’s all interconnected. Promoting back to the top division in the Nations League can provide us with important ranking points and confidence moving into the World Cup qualifiers. Our aim is to perform well in both competitions, starting with the matches against Serbia.
**Interviewer:** Last question, Bernhard. What message do you have for the fans as the team prepares for these important fixtures?
**Bernhard Neuhold:** We’re grateful for the unwavering support from our fans. Their energy in the stands means a lot to the players. We encourage everyone to come out and create an incredible atmosphere for our home game. Together, we can achieve great things!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Bernhard. We look forward to seeing how the matches unfold!
**Bernhard Neuhold:** Thank you for having me! We’re excited for March.