Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Alaba · Laimer · Danso · Lienhart · Grillitsch · Schlager · Seiwald · Arnautovic · Baumgartner · Sabitzer · Lucic

Austria plays with a heavy high press and rapid transitions in a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is designed to win the ball high up the pitch and strike before the opponent can recover.

Lucic stays in goal to lead the defensive unit. The team defends in a back three where Grillitsch sits centrally to sweep behind the line. Danso and Lienhart act as the left and right central defenders to defend zonally and win the header in aerial duels. Alaba works as a left wing back to provide width and track back to cover the flank, while Laimer operates as a right wing back to cover the entire right side. This defensive block works to squeeze the space and force the opposition to play long.

The midfield operates as a double pivot with Schlager and Seiwald. Schlager works to drive forward with the ball to connect the defensive and attacking lines, while Seiwald focuses on shielding the defense and winning the second ball. They work to compress the midfield to prevent opponents from playing through the lines. When the team plays out from the back, they look to find the feet of these players to recycle possession and move the ball forward.

Three attackers lead the front line to stretch the opposition. Arnautovic functions as a target man, using his strength to hold up the ball and link play. Baumgartner plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside, while Sabitzer stays wide on the right and uses his engine to arrive late into the box. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball and create runs in behind. This attacking unit looks to break quickly and play one-two combinations to penetrate the defensive line.

This Austria lineup offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves. By utilizing three forwards and two active midfielders, the team can trigger a press and win it back high up the pitch. The formation also creates wide overloads because Alaba and Laimer can overlap the wingers to stretch the defense. This helps the team to switch play and isolate wide players in one on one situations.

The 5-2-3 formation focuses on pressing and attacking transitions. It is most effective against opponents who struggle to play out from the back or leave space behind their defenders.