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.
**What are the key factors that could influence Austria’s performance in the Nations League playoff against Serbia?**
**Interview with Football Expert John Smith on Austria-Serbia Nations League Playoff**
**Editor:** Welcome, John! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the upcoming Nations League playoff between Austria and Serbia. There’s a lot of interest in this matchup. How do you assess Austria’s current form heading into this crucial match?
**John Smith:** Thanks for having me! Austria is certainly in a challenging situation after their recent draw against Slovenia, which cost them direct promotion to League A. The 1-1 draw kept them in League B, leading to this playoff. They have a solid team under coach Ralf Rangnick, but consistency has been an issue. They’ll need to come back stronger and capitalize on their home advantage in the first leg.
**Editor:** Speaking of the first leg, it’s likely to be held at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. How important is having this home fixture for Austria?
**John Smith:** Playing at home is definitely a morale booster. The Ernst Happel Stadium is one of Austria’s most iconic venues, and the home crowd can really inspire the team. It’s also a strategic advantage, as they know the pitch and conditions well. If they can secure a good result at home, it will put them in a stronger position heading into the away leg.
**Editor:** Austria recently defeated Serbia 2-1 in a friendly before the European Championships. How much weight do you think this result carries into the upcoming matches?
**John Smith:** While that victory does provide some confidence, it’s important to remember that friendlies can differ significantly from competitive matches. Serbia is a strong side, having performed well in their group, so they’ll be seeking revenge. Austria needs to focus on their tactics and not rely too heavily on past results. This serves as a chance to prove they can perform in critical situations.
**Editor:** Serbia finished third in their Nations League group behind Spain and Denmark. How do you view their chances against Austria?
**John Smith:** Serbia has a talented squad, especially with players like Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus. They have experience in high-pressure matches, which could be beneficial. They will certainly come into the playoffs with confidence after their strong finish in League A, but they must be wary of Austria’s home advantage and the tactical approach Rangnick is known for. It will be a closely contested matchup.
**Editor:** You mentioned World Cup qualifications for Austria, which won’t begin until June next year. How do you think this playoff will impact their preparations?
**John Smith:** This playoff is crucial for Austria not just for promotion but for building momentum heading into World Cup qualifying. Winning this playoff will boost their confidence and help solidify their strategies ahead of more competitive matches. It also gives them a chance to fine-tune their squad and tactics before the qualifiers begin.
**Editor:** any predictions on how the two legs might play out?
**John Smith:** It’s tough to call, but if I had to make a prediction, I’d expect Austria to edge out a victory at home, perhaps 2-1, while the second leg in Serbia will be very challenging. If Austria can secure even a draw in Belgrade, they should be able to advance. However, it could very well go to extra time if both teams are evenly matched. It’s certainly going to be an exciting couple of matches!
**Editor:** Thank you, John! It sounds like we’re in for a thrilling showdown between these two national teams. We appreciate your insights!
**John Smith:** My pleasure! Looking forward to the matches!