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 is the coaching staff implementing to maintain team morale following the recent draw against Slovenia that impacted promotion hopes?
**Interview with Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB)**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Bernhard. Austria has drawn Serbia for the Nations League play-offs. How are the preparations going for this important match?
*Neuhold:* Thank you for having me. Our preparations are well underway. Facing Serbia will be a significant challenge, but the team is focused and ready to fight for promotion back to League A. We will be playing the first leg in Vienna on March 20th and the second leg in Serbia on March 23rd.
*Interviewer:* The team recently drew 1-1 against Slovenia, which affected their promotion hopes. How has the team responded to that disappointment?
*Neuhold:* Naturally, there was disappointment after not securing direct promotion. However, the players and coaching staff have shown resilience. Team boss Ralf Rangnick is working hard to keep morale high and is focusing on strategic adjustments for the upcoming matches.
*Interviewer:* What can you tell us about the venue for the first leg? Where are you leaning toward for the match?
*Neuhold:* We are likely to play at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, as it can accommodate a larger crowd. We must confirm the venue with UEFA by November 29th. The Raiffeisen Arena in Linz is also an option, but it has a far smaller capacity.
*Interviewer:* Austria has a recent victory against Serbia. How important is that match for the team’s confidence?
*Neuhold:* Winning against Serbia in our last encounter was crucial for our confidence. It shows that we can compete with strong opponents like their star striker, Dusan Vlahovic. We’ll definitely lean on that experience as we prepare.
*Interviewer:* Looking ahead, Austria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup will begin in June. How will the outcomes of the Serbia matches influence that process?
*Neuhold:* Success in the play-offs is crucial not just for our current standings but also for boosting confidence as we approach the World Cup qualifiers. We’re eager to gain momentum and ensure our best performance heading into that tournament.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Bernhard. Best of luck in the upcoming matches against Serbia!
*Neuhold:* Thank you! We appreciate the support from our fans. Let’s hope for promising results in March!
