Serbia left it late to register their first shot on target in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) A/B play-off against Austria, but made it count to secure a crucial 1-1 draw.
That result marked Serbia’s sixth stalemate in their last nine matches (W1, L2), and another draw in the second leg would at least take the contest into extra time as they fight to retain their place in UNL League A for the 2026/27 cycle.
Dragan Stojković’s men have shown resilience in the UNL, avoiding defeat in ten of their last 12 matches in the competition (W5, D5). Their home record further strengthens their case, as Serbia remain unbeaten in their last five UNL home fixtures (W3, D2), keeping three consecutive clean sheets in that run. Notably, one of those shutouts came against reigning UNL champions and Euro 2024 winners Spain. However, Serbia will have to overcome the challenge of playing in front of a reduced home crowd due to a UEFA sanction.
Austria’s first-leg draw was their second consecutive 1-1 result after they also let a lead slip against Slovenia. Impressively, Ralf Rangnick’s team have scored first in each of their last five matches. Despite missing out on automatic promotion from Group B3, Austria can take encouragement from their current five-game unbeaten run in the UNL (W3, D2) as they seek a swift return to League A.
That streak represents Austria’s longest unbeaten run in a single UNL edition, but their away form could prove problematic. The visitors have won just once across their last five away UNL matches (D1, L3), with four of those encounters producing exactly two goals. However, Austria’s ability to force a definitive result is evident, as only one of their 11 UNL away games has ended in a draw (W6, L4), suggesting a decisive outcome is likely within 90 minutes.
Players to Watch:
- Luka Jović (Serbia): Serbia have won all three UNL games in which Jović has found the net, making him a crucial figure in their survival bid.
- Michael Gregoritsch (Austria): A reliable scorer for Austria, Gregoritsch has netted three times in their last four UNL outings, with all three goals serving as his team’s final strike of the match.
Hot Stat: Five of Serbia’s last eight UNL matches have produced exactly two total goals, highlighting the likelihood of another tight encounter.
With a place in League A on the line, both teams will be eager to make their mark in this decisive second leg. Can Serbia make the most of their home advantage despite the restricted crowd, or will Austria’s attacking consistency propel them to promotion?
