Under-21 play-offs: What you need to know
Thursday, November 10, 2016
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Austria will look to take the sting out of a Marco Asensio-powered Spain while Serbia are seeking to steal a march on Norway in Belgrade as the Under-21 play-offs get under way.
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Austria v Spain (St Polten, 18:30)
The story of qualifying
Austria: P10 W7 D1 L2 F22 A12
Lost both meetings with Group 7 winners Germany, who finished with a perfect record, but otherwise impressed.
Danger man: Kevin Friesenbichler (forward, Austria Wien)
Quote:
"We are focusing exclusively on the players we have available. I trust them 100%. Spain have an impressive squad and are clear favourites. They are attack-minded, which could open up some space for us. We will try to take advantage of that. If we stand up to them with aggression, commitment and passion, I am convinced we can get into a good position for the return leg."
Werner Gregoritsch, Austria coach
Spain: P10 W7 D2 L1 F31 A9
Drew twice with Group 6 winners Sweden but missed out on top spot as a result of a 3-0 home defeat by Croatia, who finished third.
Danger man: Marco Asensio (midfielder, Real Madrid)
Quote:
"We need to go into the second leg of the play-off with as much of a chance of progressing as possible and I'm not thinking of anything other than getting the result."
Albert Celades, Spain coach
Second leg: Tuesday 15 November, Albacete (18:00)
Serbia v Norway (Belgrade, 18:00)
The story of qualifying
Serbia: P10 W7 D2 L1 F27 A8
Started with 5-0 wins against both Lithuania and Andorra and drew both games against Italy but suffered a surprise 2-0 loss in Slovenia last November.
Danger man: Uroš Djurdjević (forward, Partizan)
Quote:
"We've got the most important match of the year and we are all aware of that, because we know what it would mean to get to the finals. We are thinking of these two games as being divided into four halves and that is why we are deliberately keeping some players back for the second match in Drammen."
Tomislav Sivić, Serbia coach
Norway: P8 W5 D1 L2 F12 A10
Dropped five points in their first four games, struggled for goals throughout and were soundly beaten 6-1 in England in September but finished strongly to claim second in Group 9.
Danger man: Mohamed Elyounoussi (forward, Basel)
Quote:
"They have many great individuals and are good in attack. We've seen them a lot and feel we know their strengths and weaknesses well."
Leif Gunnar Smerud, Norway coach
Second leg: Tuesday 15 November, Drammen (19:00)