Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

D. Alaba · K. Laimer · K. Danso · P. Lienhart · A. Grbic · P. Wimmer · C. Baumgartner · R. Schmid · N. Seiwald · M. Sabitzer · A. Schlager

Austria looks to control matches through high pressing and verticality in this 2-5-3 formation. The lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and move it toward the goal with direct intent. This formation focuses on overwhelming the opposition in the middle and attacking areas to create chances through rapid transitions.

A. Schlager stays between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The defensive line relies on a pair of central defenders, K. Danso and P. Lienhart, who must play in a high line to compress the space. K. Danso provides aerial strength and physicality, while P. Lienhart acts as a ball playing defender to initiate play. Because there are only two defenders, they must stay compact and communicate well to cover the space behind them when the team pushes forward.

A five man midfield provides the engine for the Austria team. D. Alaba plays as a deep lying playmaker, dropping between the centre backs to receive the ball and help build play from the back. K. Laimer operates as a carrier who works to win the second ball and press aggressively. N. Seiwald and M. Sabitzer occupy the central areas to connect the defensive and attacking lines, with Sabitzer often arriving late into the box. C. Baumgartner acts as the attacking ten, playing in the hole to find space between the lines and drive the team forward.

The attack features three players across the front to stretch the defence. A. Grbic plays as a pressing centre forward to harass the opposition back line and hold up the ball. P. Wimmer and R. Schmid act as wide wingers who pull wide to create width. P. Wimmer likes to cut inside to create goal scoring chances, while R. Schmid looks to get to the byline and whip it in. This front three works to isolate defenders in one on one situations through quick combinations.

This formation offers a huge advantage through numerical superiority in midfield, making it hard for opponents to play through the center. The team can also use its high press in coordinated waves to force long balls from the opposition. By having five players in the middle, Austria can easily control the tempo and win possession back quickly.

This lineup is built for aggressive, high intensity football that relies on winning the ball in advanced areas. It is best suited for games where the team wants to dominate possession and punish opponents who struggle to play out from the back.