Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria looks to play with high intensity and directness. This vertical style relies on a 5-2-3 formation to squeeze the pitch and win the ball high up the pitch. The goal is to force turnovers and strike quickly before the opposition can set their defensive line. This formation is built to catch opponents on the break.

Schlager guards the goal while the defensive unit operates as a back three with high intensity. Grillitsch sits in the center of the line to organize the unit, while Danso and Lienhart provide physical presence and aerial strength. Alaba plays as a left wing back, using his passing range to find teammates, while Laimer acts as a right wing back to stretch the defence. This back five allows the team to shift and cover space effectively when the opposition carries the ball forward.

The midfield works as a double pivot with Schlager and Seiwald. Seiwald works to intercept passes and win the second ball, while Schlager connects the defensive line to the attacking trio. They must press in a mid-block or high press to prevent the opposition from playing out from the back. This pairing provides a shield for the central defenders and allows the wing backs to push higher. They aim to recycle possession and find the feet of the striker.

In the final third, Austria utilizes three attackers. Baumgartner acts as the central striker, making runs in behind to stretch the defence. On the flanks, Sabitzer and R. Schmid provide the width and cutting inside threat. Sabitzer uses his passing range to find runners, while R. Schmid looks to get to the byline and deliver early crosses. This front line is designed to press from the front and create one on one situations for the wingers to exploit.

A major strength of this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads through the movements of Alaba and Laimer. When the wing backs push up, they combine with the wingers to pin the last defender. Another advantage is the compactness when defending, as the five players in the back line and the two in midfield make it hard to play through the lines. This allows the team to win it back high up the pitch.

This 5-2-3 formation creates a hard to beat unit that excels at quick transitions. It is best suited for games against teams that prefer to play out from the back against a heavy press.