Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Alaba · Laimer · Danso · Lienhart · Schlager · Seiwald · Baumgartner · Sabitzer · R. Schmid · Lazaro · Lucic

Austria aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and dominate central areas using a 2-5-3. This lineup is built to play with high intensity to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition. The team looks to control possession and squeeze the space between the lines through constant pressure.

Lucic guards the goal while Danso and Lienhart form a two man back line. They play a very high line to compress the pitch. Danso uses his aerial strength to win headers in the box and Lienhart plays out from the back to start attacks. This small defensive unit must be very brave to step up and catch runners or cover the wide areas when the midfield moves.

The midfield uses a five man block to control the center of the pitch. Alaba and Laimer act as a deep lying playmaker pairing to shield the defense. Alaba uses his passing range to find teammates and move the ball, while Laimer uses his pressing intensity to win the ball back high up the pitch. Seiwald and Schlager occupy the middle areas to connect the defense to the attack and cover the spaces left by others. Sabitzer plays as an attacking ten to drive forward with his energy and arrive late into the box.

The attack features three players across the front line. Baumgartner acts as the lone striker to lead the press and find the feet of his teammates. Lazaro and R. Schmid work as wide wingers who hug the touchline to stretch the defence. These three forwards press the opposition back line to force a long ball or a mistake. The team looks to break quickly through the wide channels or use Sabitzer to play through the lines and split the defence.

Austria creates numerical superiority in midfield by crowding the central zone. This makes it very difficult for opponents to find passing lanes. The team also benefits from the ability to press in coordinated waves from the front three down to the midfield. This pressure can force turnovers in dangerous areas for quick transitions.

This 2-5-3 formation is built for aggressive pressing and heavy central control. It is best suited for games where the team wants to suffocate an opponent that struggles to play out from the back.