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.
How do you think Austria’s previous match against Serbia will influence the team’s strategy going into the Nations League play-offs?
**Interview with Sports Analyst – Discussing Austria vs Serbia in Nations League Play-offs**
**Interviewer**: Welcome! Today we’re diving into the exciting upcoming match between Austria and Serbia in the UEFA Nations League play-offs. With us is sports analyst Lisa Becker. Thanks for joining us, Lisa!
**Lisa Becker**: Thank you for having me!
**Interviewer**: Let’s start with the background of this match. Austria lost their chance at direct promotion to League A after a 1-1 draw against Slovenia. How significant is that setback for the team?
**Lisa Becker**: It’s quite significant. That draw meant they missed an opportunity to secure their place in the top division directly. It puts them in a challenging position in the play-offs against Serbia, a team that has shown strong performances in League A. They need to approach this match with a lot of confidence and determination if they want to bounce back.
**Interviewer**: Austria will host the first leg on March 20, likely in Vienna. How crucial is home advantage in this context?
**Lisa Becker**: Home advantage can play a huge role in high-stakes matches like these. Playing in front of their home crowd at Ernst Happel Stadium can give the Austrian players a psychological edge. The familiarity with the pitch and supportive fans can create an intimidating atmosphere for Serbia. The ÖFB will be hoping to capitalize on this.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of Serbia, they finished third in their Nations League group behind Spain and Denmark. What does that indicate about their current form?
**Lisa Becker**: Finishing third in a strong group like that is no small feat. It shows that Serbia has a competitive squad. They have talented players like Dusan Vlahovic, which makes them a formidable opponent. Austria will need to be cautious but also aggressive, knowing they’re up against a team that can strike quickly and effectively.
**Interviewer**: Austria won their last encounter with Serbia 2-1 in a friendly earlier this year. How much weight do you think this carries into the upcoming matches?
**Lisa Becker**: While that previous victory can boost Austria’s confidence, it’s important to recognize that competitive matches, especially in a play-off scenario, take on a different intensity. The history between the nations could also influence the players, as rivalry can heighten emotions. However, past performance is not always indicative of future results, so both teams will have to come prepared.
**Interviewer**: Looking ahead, what does this match mean for Austria’s ambitions, especially with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon?
**Lisa Becker**: This match is critical for Austria, not just for immediate promotion but also for building momentum as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers. A strong showing against Serbia can instill confidence and cohesion in the team, which will be vital when they start their journey towards the World Cup in 2026. The outcome of this play-off could significantly influence their trajectory.
**Interviewer**: Great insights, Lisa! Thank you for your expertise on this upcoming clash. We look forward to seeing how it unfolds!
**Lisa Becker**: My pleasure! It’s going to be an exciting match, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
