Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Prass · Laimer · Danso · Lienhart · Grillitsch · Schlager · Baumgartner · Wimmer · Sabitzer · Seiwald · Hedl

Austria plays with a heavy central focus within this 2-6-2 formation. The team identity is centered on a high press and suffocating the middle of the pitch to win it back high up the pitch. This lineup is built to play a very vertical game where the midfield dominates the ball and moves the play quickly.

Hedl acts as the goalkeeper to help Lienhart and Danso play short from the back. These two central defenders form a narrow defensive block that must hold the line and protect the space behind them. Lienhart and Danso need to be dominant in the air to win the second ball and defend man-to-man if the opposition manages to bypass the midfield. The defensive unit works to stay compact and relies on the midfielders to trigger a press.

The midfield consists of a massive six man group that connects the defense to the attack. Prass and Grillitsch work as a deep lying playmaker pairing to recycle possession and control the tempo. Laimer adds energy to the group as he uses his pressing intensity to cover large areas and carry the ball forward. Above them, Schlager, Sabitzer, and Seiwald operate in the half spaces to play through the lines. Sabitzer uses his passing range to find teammates, while Seiwald and Schlager work to squeeze the space and deny the turn to opposing players.

Austria uses two forwards in a partnership with Baumgartner and Wimmer. They act as a pressing centre forward duo to pressure the opposition back line. Baumgartner works to find the feet of the striker to hold up the ball, while Wimmer tries to make runs in behind. The attack is built through the center as the midfielders support the two forwards. They look to play one-two combinations to split the defence with a through ball. Wimmer and Baumgartner often pull wide to stretch the defence before they cut inside to attack the near post.

One major advantage is the numerical superiority in midfield which allows Austria to win the second ball easily. The coordination of the midfielders allows them to press in pairs and win it back high up the pitch. This formation also provides the ability to press high in coordinated waves. By clogging the middle, they force a long ball from the opponent, which Lienhart and Danso can win in the air.

This 2-6-2 formation is a high intensity system built for absolute dominance in the center of the pitch. It is best suited for games where the team needs to suffocate an opponent who struggles to play out from the back.