Austrian Soccer Showdown: Austria Faces Serbia In UEFA Nations League Playoffs
Promotion and relegation battle in UEFA Nations League electrifies fans as Austria and Serbia clash.
Austria is set to meet Serbia in the first leg of their 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoffs at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on March 20, 2025. The kick-off is scheduled for 3:45 PM ET. Following a fierce competition, both teams have shown resilience, and their upcoming battle promises to be an intense one.
Austria enters the playoffs with a strong record in League B but missed automatic promotion to League A, finishing the group stage with 11 points, placing second in Group B3. Their last match against Slovenia ended in a 1-1 draw, with Romano Schmid contributing a goal, keeping Austria’s hopes alive. Ralf Rangnick, the team’s head coach, has cultivated a squad prepared to fight for top-tier status.
Serbia, on the other hand, narrowly escaped outright relegation with their late equalizer against Switzerland, securing their third position in the League A Group 4 standings with just 6 points. After a disheartening 0-0 draw against Denmark in their last outing, the team is determined to secure their place in the upper league for another season.
The stakes could not be higher for both sides. Austria’s performance has demonstrated a scoring capability, shown by their 14 goals in the group stage; meanwhile, Serbia has struggled offensively, only managing 3 goals. While Austria has showcased offensive prowess, the Serbians will need to sharpen their attacking game if they want to avoid relegation.
Austrian fans will likely pack the Ernst Happel Stadium, creating a charged atmosphere. The matchup also features notable players, including Austria’s captain David Alaba and striker Marko Arnautovic, along with Serbian talents like striker Dusan Vlahovic and goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. This game not only serves as a contest of skills but also as a display of national pride.
When the two teams last met in June 2024, Austria came out on top with a 2-1 victory. This time around, however, both teams will bring their full strength to the field, knowing that the next leg on March 23 could also dramatically shape their destinies.
As fans prepare to watch the game, here's how you can catch the action live:
- Game Date: March 20, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 3:45 PM ET
- Where to Watch: Live on Fubo Sports Network, with streaming available
The match statistics further emphasize Austria's current competitive advantage, boasting a higher possession percentage and significantly more shots on goal compared to Serbia in their previous fixtures. Austria had 14 shots, with 3 on target during their last match against Serbia, whereas Serbia managed only 3 shots with none on target.
This contest will indeed set the tone for the second leg, and the anticipation surrounding this playoff match reflects the passion surrounding European soccer. Will Austria maintain its momentum toward promotion, or will Serbia rise to the occasion and dodge relegation once again?
The series in the UEFA Nations League continues with this exciting playoff, and fans across the globe are eager to see how this dramatic soccer narrative unfolds.
