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 Ralf Rangnick assess the team’s resilience and performance following their recent draw against Slovenia?
**Interview with Ralf Rangnick, Head Coach of the Austria National Football Team**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Ralf. Austria’s national team has a crucial matchup ahead against Serbia in March for promotion back to League A of the Nations League. Can you share your thoughts on how the team is preparing for this challenge?
**Ralf Rangnick**: Thank you for having me. We are fully focused on this important playoff against Serbia. After our recent draw against Slovenia, we know the stakes are high. This team has shown resilience, and we are working on refining our tactics and building cohesion as we prepare for both legs.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of the draw against Slovenia, how did you evaluate that performance, and what areas do you think need improvement?
**Ralf Rangnick**: The draw was disappointing as we had set our sights on direct promotion. While there were positive moments in our play, we need to improve our finishing and defensive stability to ensure we don’t drop points in critical matches like this. We’re analyzing our gameplay closely to address these issues.
**Interviewer**: Austria won the last encounter against Serbia in a friendly before the European Championships. How does that past success influence the team’s confidence going into the playoffs?
**Ralf Rangnick**: Winning that match certainly boosts our confidence. However, we know that competitive fixtures are a different ballgame. Serbia has a strong squad, and we respect that. Our victory in June gives us a positive reference point, but we cannot rely solely on that; we must recreate that performance in March.
**Interviewer**: The first leg will likely be held at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. How important is it to play at home in a fixture like this?
**Ralf Rangnick**: Home advantage is always significant, especially in high-stakes games. The support of our fans can make a crucial difference. We are most likely playing at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which will allow us to create an electrifying atmosphere. We will need our supporters behind us to push the team forward.
**Interviewer**: Looking beyond the Nations League playoffs, how is the team preparing for the World Cup qualification process starting next June?
**Ralf Rangnick**: Our focus is on the playoffs with Serbia, but we also have an eye on World Cup qualification. We’re committed to developing our players and ensuring that our strategies align with our long-term goals. The draw on December 13th will give us a clearer picture, but we are preparing proactively for the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer**: Thanks, Ralf. We wish you and the team the best of luck in the upcoming match against Serbia.
**Ralf Rangnick**: Thank you! We’re excited for the challenge ahead.
This interview encapsulates the current situation surrounding the Austria national soccer team’s aspirations and preparations as they gear up for crucial matches in the Nations League. The team understands the stakes and is focused on delivering their best performance in the upcoming playoff against Serbia.
