Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Seiwald · Sabitzer · Laimer · Posch · Lienhart · Lazaro · Baumgartner · R. Schmid · Danso · P. Wimmer · Lucic

Austria plays with a high press and uses a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and attack with directness. The team stretches the defence by using the full width of the field and playing through the lines.

Lucic acts as the goalkeeper behind a back three. Lienhart sits in the center of the line to hold the position. Danso and Posch play as wide centre-backs to cover the flanks and provide support. Danso and Posch can step up to engage attackers or drop to cover the space if the team plays a high line. The defensive unit works to squeeze the space and maintain a compact block to deny the turn of the opposition.

The midfield features a four man unit that links the defence and the attack. Seiwald and Sabitzer occupy the central roles to control the game. Sabitzer uses his passing range to find teammates and progress through the thirds. Seiwald works to protect the back three and intercept passes in the middle. Lazaro and Laimer occupy the wide midfield positions to provide width. Laimer uses his pressing intensity to win the ball back high up the pitch while both players run the channels.

Austria uses three attackers in the final third. Baumgartner acts as a lone striker to lead the press and find the feet of his teammates. R. Schmid and P. Wimmer play as wide attackers who often cut inside to threaten the goal. This movement allows players like Laimer and Lazaro to overlap the wingers and deliver crosses into the box. The front line looks to break the line with quick combinations or runs in behind.

A major strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to force a long ball. This puts immense pressure on the opponent during their build up. Another advantage is the speed of transition when the team wins the ball back. The width provided by Lazaro and Laimer creates wide overloads and the ability to isolate defenders in one on one situations.

This 3-4-3 formation focuses on high intensity and verticality to disrupt the opponent. It is best suited for situations where Austria can dominate the ball and play through the lines.