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 will Austria’s recent performance against Serbia in their friendly match influence their chances in the upcoming Nations League matches?
**Interview with Football Expert on Austria vs. Serbia Upcoming Matches**
**Interviewer:** Today we’re discussing the upcoming Nations League matches between Austria and Serbia with our guest, football analyst Julia Fuchs. Welcome, Julia!
**Julia Fuchs:** Thank you for having me!
**Interviewer:** Austria’s national team is set to face Serbia in March as they aim for promotion back to the top division of the Nations League. How significant is this match for both teams?
**Julia Fuchs:** This match is crucial for both Austria and Serbia. For Austria, it represents a chance to regain their position in League A after being relegated in 2022. The ÖFB team, led by Ralf Rangnick, needs to harness their recent momentum after winning against Serbia in a friendly earlier this year. For Serbia, it’s an opportunity to solidify their standing in European football, especially after finishing third in their group behind Spain and Denmark.
**Interviewer:** Austria had a challenging road to this point, especially with their recent draw against Slovenia. How do you think that will impact their performance in the upcoming matches?
**Julia Fuchs:** Absolutely, the 1-1 draw against Slovenia was a setback for Austria, denying them direct promotion. However, it’s important to note that they are still a talented squad. The pressure of relegation can be a double-edged sword—it can either motivate the players or weigh heavily on them. Given their previous win against Serbia, they might carry some confidence into the matches.
**Interviewer:** They will play the first leg on March 20th, likely in Vienna. How important is home advantage in this context?
**Julia Fuchs:** Home advantage is vital, especially in knockout scenarios. The Ernst Happel Stadium offers a supportive atmosphere, and the familiarity with the pitch can help the players perform better. It’s also about the fans—having them behind you can be incredibly uplifting. If the game is indeed in Vienna, that could give Austria a critical edge.
**Interviewer:** And what about Serbia? They have star players like Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus. What are the chances of their performance being affected by their past results?
**Julia Fuchs:** Serbia has a strong squad and harnesses a lot of individual talent, including Vlahovic. While they finished third in their Nations League group, they’ve shown they can compete with the best, especially with their attacking prowess. Their focus will likely be on capitalizing on the counters and set-pieces against Austria, plus they’ll want to turn any history of past match-ups into a psychological advantage.
**Interviewer:** With World Cup qualifications looming, what do these matches mean for the future for both teams?
**Julia Fuchs:** These matches are critical not just for immediate standings but also for the upcoming World Cup qualifications. Both teams will want to build momentum and confidence heading into the June qualifiers. A successful performance will boost morale and provide a solid foundation for future matches, especially with both aiming to make a significant impact on international stage.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Julia. It’s going to be an exciting couple of matches!
**Julia Fuchs:** Thank you! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
