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 the outcome of the Austria vs. Serbia matches impact the teams’ future in international football competitions?
**Interview: Ahead of the Big Match - Austria vs. Serbia in the Nations League Play-offs**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, sports analyst and historian, Thomas Müller, to discuss the upcoming Nations League play-offs between Austria and Serbia. Thomas, thanks for joining us!
**Thomas Müller:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Austrian football fans.
**Interviewer:** Indeed! The Austrian national team will play against Serbia in March for a chance to return to League A. Can you break down what this match means for Austria?
**Thomas Müller:** Absolutely. This match is crucial for Austria, especially after their recent performance where they missed direct promotion by drawing against Slovenia. The first leg will take place on March 20 in Vienna, and the second leg is on March 23 in Serbia. A good performance in these matches is essential for reinstating their status in League A of the Nations League, which impacts their world rankings and future international matches.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the first leg being likely at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. What factors play into choosing the venue?
**Thomas Müller:** The venue needs to accommodate a large audience, and the Ernst Happel Stadium is one of the largest in Austria, which can provide a fantastic atmosphere for the fans. The alternative, Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, is much smaller and wouldn’t generate the same energy. It’s important for the ÖFB, Austria’s football association, to create a home advantage in front of their supporters, which can significantly boost the players’ performance.
**Interviewer:** Austria has had a mixed record lately. They recently beat Serbia 2-1 in a friendly before the European Championships. How do you think that result will impact the players’ confidence heading into the play-offs?
**Thomas Müller:** Winning against Serbia definitely helps build confidence. It shows that they can compete with strong teams, especially with Serbian star players like Dusan Vlahovic in the lineup. However, friendly matches and competitive games are very different, so the team must channel that positive energy into a high-stakes environment. The pressure will be much greater in these play-off matches.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what do you predict for Austria’s chances in these matches?
**Thomas Müller:** It’s hard to say definitively, but if Austria can replicate their performance from the last friendly and solidify their defense, they have a strong chance. Team boss Ralf Rangnick has experience and tactical insight that could play a crucial role. Both matches will be very competitive, but the stakes make it even more exciting for fans.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Thomas, for your insights! The play-offs promise to be thrilling, and we look forward to seeing how Austria fares against Serbia.
**Thomas Müller:** Thank you for having me. It’s going to be a nail-biter—let’s hope for some spectacular football!
**Interviewer:** And for those tuning in, mark your calendars for March! This is going to be a pivotal moment for Austrian football. Stay tuned!