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 impact their chances against Serbia in the upcoming playoff?
**Interview with Soccer Analyst Martin Keller on Austria vs. Serbia in the Nations League Playoff**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Martin! It’s exciting to see Austria’s national soccer team facing Serbia in the Nations League playoff next March. What are your initial thoughts on this matchup?
**Martin Keller:** Thanks for having me! This matchup is significant for both teams, especially for Austria, as they’ve just been relegated from League A. They missed direct promotion after a disappointing draw with Slovenia, so this playoff is crucial for them to get back into the top division.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, the stakes are high. Austria will host the first leg on March 20th. What are the implications of playing at home?
**Martin Keller:** Playing at home gives Austria a psychological edge. The Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna will probably be packed with supportive fans, which can be a huge motivator for the team. Historically, teams perform better at home due to familiar conditions and crowd support. Bernhard Neuhold mentioned that they will confirm the venue soon, but I expect a strong turnout.
**Interviewer:** Serbia finished third in their Nations League group behind Spain and Denmark. How do you assess their performance so far?
**Martin Keller:** Serbia had a solid performance, especially considering the strength of their opponents. Finishing behind teams like Spain and Denmark is no small feat. They have star players, including Dusan Vlahovic, who can change the game. The recent friendly where Austria beat Serbia 2-1 might give Austria some confidence, but you can’t underestimate Serbia.
**Interviewer:** What do you think Austria needs to do to secure a victory in both legs?
**Martin Keller:** For Austria, it’s crucial to strengthen their defense against Serbia’s potent attack. They need to capitalize on home advantage and establish an early lead in the first leg. They will also need to manage the game well, ensuring they don’t become too defensive or overly aggressive, which could lead to mistakes.
**Interviewer:** With the World Cup qualifying draw looming in December, how does this playoff fit into the broader picture for Austrian soccer?
**Martin Keller:** This playoff is vital in the context of building momentum for the national team. A strong performance could boost morale ahead of World Cup qualifiers, starting next June. Austria needs to demonstrate that they belong in League A and can compete with top teams, which will also help attract more talent and investment into their soccer program.
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Martin! It’s clear that this playoff is a significant moment for both Austria and Serbia, and we can expect some exciting matches.
**Martin Keller:** Absolutely! It will be fascinating to see how it plays out. I’m looking forward to the games.
