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 significant is the home advantage for Austria when playing at Ernst Happel Stadium against Serbia?
**Interview with Football Analyst, Lisa Hoffmann: Austria’s Upcoming Matches Against Serbia**
**Host:** Welcome, Lisa! With Austria’s national soccer team facing Serbia in crucial Nations League relegation matches this March, what are your initial thoughts on this matchup?
**Lisa Hoffmann:** Thank you for having me! This is a pivotal moment for Austria. After failing to secure direct promotion back to League A, they must now fight for their place through these relegation matches. The stakes are incredibly high.
**Host:** Indeed they are. Austria recently drew with Slovenia, which led to their current situation. Do you think they have what it takes to succeed against Serbia?
**Lisa Hoffmann:** It’s going to be tough. The last time these two teams met, Austria managed a victory, but Serbia has a strong squad, featuring players like Dusan Vlahovic. They finished third in their League A group, which shows they can compete at a high level. Austria will need to capitalize on their home advantage in the first leg, scheduled for March 20 in Vienna.
**Host:** Speaking of the venue, there’s talk about the match being held at Ernst Happel Stadium. How important is home advantage in these kinds of games?
**Lisa Hoffmann:** Home advantage can be significant, especially in high-pressure situations like relegation matches. The familiar environment, along with the support of local fans, can boost players’ performance. It seems that Ernst Happel Stadium will be the likely choice, given its capacity and facilities. The fewer spectators at Raiffeisen Arena could make a difference in the atmosphere.
**Host:** What are some key factors Austria needs to consider going into this match?
**Lisa Hoffmann:** First, they need to focus on their defense. Serbia has potent attacking players and can exploit any lapses. Additionally, Austria should also use their recent victory over Serbia as a confidence booster. They’ve shown they can win against them, but they need to be consistent. managing the pressure is crucial; if they keep a calm mentality, they could see positive results.
**Host:** With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, how crucial are these matches for Austria’s future?
**Lisa Hoffmann:** These matches are crucial. Besides the immediate pressure of relegation, success here will build momentum heading into World Cup qualifiers. A strong showing against Serbia can reinvigorate the team’s confidence and set them up for success. Conversely, a poor result could have lingering effects on morale as the team moves towards qualification.
**Host:** Thank you, Lisa! It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in March.
**Lisa Hoffmann:** My pleasure! I can’t wait to see the outcome and how Austria rises to the challenge.