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 could the results of the playoff matches against Serbia impact Austria’s chances for World Cup qualification?
**Interview with Football Expert Mark Schneider on Austria’s Upcoming Matches Against Serbia in the Nations League**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mark! We’re looking forward to the upcoming UEFA play-off matches for Austria’s national soccer team against Serbia. Can you give us your thoughts on how Austria performed in their recent game against Slovenia?
**Mark Schneider:** Thank you for having me! Austria’s 1-1 draw against Slovenia was disappointing for them, especially since they were vying for direct promotion back to League A. The result meant they now need to face Serbia in a crucial relegation playoff instead, which adds a layer of pressure going into the matches in March.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely, the stakes are high! The first leg is set for March 20th at home, likely in Vienna. What do you expect from the atmosphere and the team’s performance in that match?
**Mark Schneider:** Playing at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna should provide a significant home advantage. The fans will be crucial in boosting team morale. Based on their recent form, including their win over Serbia earlier this year, I expect Austria to come out strong. However, they will need to be wary of Serbia, especially with talented players like Dusan Vlahovic in their lineup.
**Interviewer:** Serbia has had a solid performance recently, finishing third in their Nations League group. What challenges do you foresee for Austria in the return leg in Serbia on March 23rd?
**Mark Schneider:** Playing away in Serbia will be challenging. The atmosphere can be intense, and the Serbian team will be determined to leverage their home advantage. Austria will need to focus on maintaining composure and not getting overwhelmed by the crowd. It’s crucial for them to carry a strong result from the first leg into that match.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a thrilling matchup ahead! Coach Ralf Rangnick has been working with the team since their relegation from League A. How do you think his strategies will impact these upcoming games?
**Mark Schneider:** Rangnick’s approach focuses on tactical discipline and high pressing. He’s brought a fresh mindset to the team. If Austria can execute his game plan effectively, especially in the first leg, it will set a positive tone for the return leg in Serbia. His experience with high-stakes matches in club football should serve the team well.
**Interviewer:** how important are these matches for Austria in relation to their future World Cup qualification?
**Mark Schneider:** These matches are crucial, not just for maintaining League A status, but also for the team’s confidence moving forward. A strong showing could set the stage positively for World Cup qualifying next summer. They need to build momentum, and success against Serbia could be just the boost they need ahead of the qualifiers.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mark, for sharing your insights! It’s going to be an exciting time for Austrian football fans.
**Mark Schneider:** My pleasure! I’m looking forward to the matches and hope for the best outcome for Austria.