Austria‘s national football 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. For Austria, qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada will not begin until June at the earliest. 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 strategies should Austria implement to replicate their previous success against Serbia in the Nations League play-offs?
**Interview with Football Analyst Peter Schmidt on Austria vs. Serbia Nations League Play-offs**
**Interviewer:** Good to have you with us, Peter! Let’s dive right into the upcoming matches between Austria and Serbia. What are your thoughts on Austria’s chances after their recent draw against Slovenia?
**Peter Schmidt:** Thank you for having me! Austria’s situation is indeed precarious. Their 1-1 draw with Slovenia meant they missed out on direct promotion to League A, which puts them in a tight spot heading into the play-offs against Serbia. This is a crucial opportunity for them to reclaim their spot in the top tier, especially after being relegated in 2022.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely, and it seems they have a bit of momentum from their last encounter with Serbia, where they won 2-1. How important is that result in their current context?
**Peter Schmidt:** That victory is certainly a morale booster for the squad. Winning against a formidable opponent like Serbia, particularly one featuring star players like Dusan Vlahovic, can instill confidence. However, the stakes are much higher in the play-off format. The team will need to replicate that performance, especially in the first leg at home in Vienna.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of home advantage, the first leg is likely going to be at the Ernst Happel Stadium. Can you elaborate on how significant this could be for Austria?
**Peter Schmidt:** Home advantage is crucial in football, especially in high-stress matches like these. The Ernst Happel Stadium can hold a large crowd, creating a vibrant atmosphere that the players could feed off. The support of home fans is invaluable, particularly when they need to build an early lead before heading to Serbia for the return leg. Bernhard Neuhold’s confidence in staying in Vienna rather than opting for the smaller Raiffeisen Arena is a wise choice in this regard.
**Interviewer:** What are Austria’s prospects looking ahead, especially considering their World Cup qualification path?
**Peter Schmidt:** It’s a tough road ahead for them. They won’t start their qualification quest for the 2026 World Cup until June, which gives them time to prepare, but also means they must prioritize these Nations League games. A good performance against Serbia could not only secure their promotion but also bolster their confidence going into World Cup qualifiers. They’re in pot one, which offers some advantages in the draw, but they’ll need to be sharp and ready for the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Peter. Your insights always shed light on these complex situations. We look forward to seeing how Austria performs in this critical play-off!
**Peter Schmidt:** Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the matches as well. It’s going to be an exciting showdown!