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 factors will determine the outcome of the Nations League matches between Austria and Serbia according to Liam Thompson?
**Interview with Sports Analyst Liam Thompson on Austria vs. Serbia in the Nations League Play-off**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Liam! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the upcoming Nations League matches between Austria and Serbia. Let’s dive right in. How crucial do you think these matches are for both teams?
**Liam Thompson:** Good afternoon! These matches are incredibly significant for both teams. For Austria, this is a chance to regain their status in League A, which is essential not just for competitive reasons but also for national pride. They slipped out of the top tier last season and the pressure is certainly on them, especially after their recent 1-1 home draw against Slovenia.
**Editor:** Given the context, how do you evaluate Austria’s chances going into the first leg?
**Liam Thompson:** Austria has a lot to prove. They have home advantage in the first leg on March 20th, likely at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, which could boost their performance. Their recent victory over Serbia in a friendly match could also provide a confidence boost, although that was a different context with more at stake in the upcoming matches.
**Editor:** Speaking of Serbia, they finished third in their Nations League group behind major teams like Spain and Denmark. How does that reflect on their current form?
**Liam Thompson:** Yes, Serbia performed quite well overall despite finishing third. They’ve shown resilience and have a strong squad, especially with talented players like Dusan Vlahovic leading the attack. This experience against top-tier teams should serve them well. They will be looking to leverage that experience in these crucial play-off matches.
**Editor:** It seems like both teams have a lot to play for. How do you think the match dynamics will change when they switch venues for the second leg in Serbia?
**Liam Thompson:** That’s a great point. The second leg in Serbia will be a different challenge altogether. The home crowd can be a powerful motivator, and Serbia will be looking to capitalize on that support. It could influence the tactical approach of both teams; Austria may need to adopt a more defensive strategy away from home, while Serbia will be aiming to assert their dominance early on.
**Editor:** Lastly, as we look ahead, what implications do these matches have for the future, especially regarding World Cup qualifications?
**Liam Thompson:** These matches are pivotal not only for immediate standings but also set the tone for the future. The winners will gain momentum and confidence ahead of the World Cup qualification process starting in June. For Austria, being in League A could also enhance their chances of securing a favorable draw. For Serbia, maintaining strong performances could bolster their status as a competitive team on the international stage.
**Editor:** Thank you, Liam, for your insightful thoughts! It certainly promises to be an exciting clash in March.
**Liam Thompson:** Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the matches as well.
