Austria‘s national football 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. For Austria, qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada will not begin until June at the earliest. 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 can past encounters between Austria and Serbia influence the teams’ performance in the upcoming playoff match?
**Interview with Football Analyst Martin Keller on Austria vs. Serbia Nations League Playoff**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Martin. We’re seeing a significant matchup coming up between Austria and Serbia in the Nations League playoff. What can you tell us about the implications of this matchup for both teams?
*Martin Keller*: Thanks for having me. This playoff is crucial for Austria, especially after their relegation from League A in 2022. They are aiming to get back to the top tier of the Nations League, which not only boosts their prestige but also impacts their seeding for future tournaments, including World Cup qualifiers. On the other hand, Serbia finished third in their League A group and will be looking to solidify their standing and build momentum towards upcoming competitions.
*Interviewer*: Right, Austria is coming off a disappointing draw against Slovenia, which cost them direct promotion. How do you think that will affect their confidence heading into this playoff?
*Martin Keller*: A 1-1 draw at home is definitely a setback, but it could also serve as a wake-up call. Under their coach Ralf Rangnick, Austria has been focusing on tactical adjustments, and a loss of direct promotion can spur a greater determination to succeed in the playoffs. They’ll need to channel any disappointment into a strong performance, especially since they have home advantage in the first leg.
*Interviewer*: Speaking of home advantage, the ÖFB is expected to play the first leg at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. How important is this for Austria?
*Martin Keller*: Playing at home is extremely beneficial. The atmosphere in large stadiums like Ernst Happel can really energize the players. It’s critical for Austria to leverage this advantage, especially since they need a good result to take to Serbia for the second leg. The support of the home crowd can also be psychologically significant.
*Interviewer*: Austria previously won their last encounter against Serbia, which featured star striker Dusan Vlahovic. How do you think this history plays into their upcoming matches?
*Martin Keller*: Past performances can weigh heavily but also inspire teams. Austria’s victory against Serbia in their last friendly could boost their confidence. However, Serbia will come prepared; they have talented players who can change a game. This tension creates a fascinating dynamic, as both teams will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes from the other.
*Interviewer*: with the World Cup qualifiers looming, how does this playoff factor into the broader picture for both teams?
*Martin Keller*: For Austria, this is a critical opportunity to regain their momentum as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Success in the Nations League could enhance their confidence and cohesion as they head into those matches. For Serbia, staying competitive in the Nations League is equally important as they look to build a solid base for their World Cup campaign. Both teams have a lot on the line, making this playoff particularly intriguing.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Martin, for sharing your insights. It’ll be exciting to see how this playoff unfolds!
*Martin Keller*: My pleasure! Looking forward to some thrilling matches ahead.