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 Austria’s recent performance affect their strategy for the upcoming matches against Serbia?
**Interview with Sports Analyst Alex Schmidt about Austria vs. Serbia in the Nations League**
**Editor:** Welcome, Alex! Thanks for joining us today to discuss Austria’s upcoming matches against Serbia in the Nations League. Let’s get straight into it. Austria’s national team has a critical double-header coming up this March. What are the stakes involved for the team?
**Alex Schmidt:** Thanks for having me! The stakes are quite high for Austria. They need to prove themselves after recently being relegated from League A of the Nations League. Competing against Serbia will be crucial for their promotion back. Given their recent performances, specifically the last draw against Slovenia, this is a pivotal moment for Coach Ralf Rangnick and his squad.
**Editor:** Austria faced a tough situation after the draw with Slovenia. How does their performance in that game affect their confidence moving forward?
**Alex Schmidt:** The 1-1 draw against Slovenia was disappointing for the Austrians, as they had ambitions for direct promotion. It definitely puts pressure on them going into the matches against Serbia. However, they did secure a victory against Serbia recently – winning 2-1 in a friendly before the European Championships – which should give them some confidence heading into the play-offs.
**Editor:** Right, the most recent match between these two teams went in Austria’s favor. How do you think that will play into their strategy for the upcoming games?
**Alex Schmidt:** Absolutely, that victory can serve as a psychological edge. Austria will likely leverage that to boost morale. They’ll focus on maintaining solid defense against Serbia’s star striker, Dušan Vlahović. Austria’s coaching staff must adapt their strategy based on Serbia’s playing style, which they have the advantage of knowing from previous encounters.
**Editor:** So, about the logistics – the first leg will likely be in Vienna. How important is home advantage in these types of matches?
**Alex Schmidt:** Home advantage is often significant, especially in high-stakes matches like this. The Ernst Happel Stadium can create a charged atmosphere that often spurs teams on. The players will be more familiar with the field, and the crowd’s support can be incredibly motivating. If Austria can capitalize on this, it will set a strong tone for the second leg in Serbia.
**Editor:** Speaking of logistics, there’s a deadline for Austria to confirm their venue. How critical is that decision for the team’s preparation?
**Alex Schmidt:** Venue choice is critical as it impacts the team’s preparation and mindset. Playing in a larger stadium like Ernst Happel, despite its challenges, allows for a more intense environment conducive to home advantages. If they’re forced to play in Linz, it might affect the team’s routine and morale, even subtly. It’s crucial for the ÖFB to finalize their preparations as efficiently as possible.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, how will this play-off impact Austria’s journey towards the 2026 World Cup?
**Alex Schmidt:** It’s interconnected. Success in these play-off matches can boost their confidence and performance ahead of the World Cup qualifying matches, which start next June. A strong showing against Serbia could rally the team, setting a foundation for their World Cup campaign in 2026, especially with the qualification draw approaching on December 13th.
**Editor:** Great insights, Alex! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It will be exciting to see how the matches unfold in March.
**Alex Schmidt:** My pleasure! I’m looking forward to it as well. Let’s hope for some thrilling football!
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This interview frames the upcoming Austria vs. Serbia matches in the context of both team performance and broader implications, while incorporating expert insights for an engaging read.
