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 recent performance of Austria’s national team influence their confidence going into the Nations League playoff against Serbia?
**Interview with Football Analyst Alex Müller on Austria vs. Serbia Nations League Playoff**
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, everyone. Today, we have football analyst Alex Müller here to discuss the upcoming Nations League playoff between Austria and Serbia. Thanks for joining us, Alex!
**Alex Müller:** Thanks for having me! Excited to talk about this clash.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Austria faces Serbia in a crucial playoff for promotion back to League A. What are your initial thoughts on this matchup?
**Alex Müller:** It’s a pivotal game for both teams. Austria dropped down to League B after a disappointing campaign, and they’re looking to reclaim their spot in the top division. Serbia, on the other hand, finished third in their League A group, so they have a solid standing despite not qualifying for the next round. This makes the stakes really high for both sides.
**Host:** Austria’s national team has had some ups and downs recently. They lost a chance for direct promotion after a draw against Slovenia. How do you think that affects their mental state heading into this playoff?
**Alex Müller:** Absolutely, that draw against Slovenia was a significant blow. It can be deflating for a team when they feel they’ve missed an opportunity. However, at the same time, they’ve had some success against Serbia in recent encounters—like their 2-1 win in a friendly before the European Championships. That could boost their confidence going into this playoff.
**Host:** Speaking of the match location, the first leg is likely to be held in Vienna. How important is home advantage in this context?
**Alex Müller:** Home advantage can be huge. The Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna is known for its lively atmosphere, and the Austrian fans will undoubtedly be a boost for the team. A strong home performance can set the tone for the second leg in Serbia, making it a critical factor.
**Host:** Austria’s coach, Ralf Rangnick, has a strategic mind. How do you see him approaching this playoff?
**Alex Müller:** Rangnick is known for his tactical flexibility and emphasis on high pressing. I expect him to set up his team to be aggressive, especially at home, aiming to secure a good result to carry into the away leg. He’ll also need to be mindful of Serbia’s attacking threats, particularly players like Dušan Vlahović.
**Host:** With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, how crucial is this playoff for Austria’s future goals?
**Alex Müller:** Very crucial. Performing well here can provide a much-needed morale boost as they transition into World Cup qualifying. The tournament will be a significant challenge, and gaining promotion back to League A would be a good step forward for the team’s development and confidence.
**Host:** Great insights, Alex. Before we wrap up, what’s your prediction for the playoff?
**Alex Müller:** It’s a tough call! Given Austria’s home advantage in the first leg, I would lean towards a narrow victory for them at home, perhaps 2-1. However, Serbia being strong at home in the second leg makes it very unpredictable. It’s going to be an exciting matchup, for sure!
**Host:** Thanks, Alex! We appreciate your analysis and can’t wait to see how this playoff unfolds.
**Alex Müller:** Thank you! Looking forward to it.
