Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria aims to play a high pressing game using a 2-5-3 formation. The team relies on a vertical style of football to attack the opposition quickly. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and move forward through the thirds with speed.

Schlager stays between the posts to protect the goal. The defensive unit is a narrow two man line consisting of Danso and Lienhart. They operate with a high line to squeeze the space and keep the team compact. Danso is dominant in the air and provides strength in the middle. To help play out from the back, Lienhart acts as a ball playing defender. Both defenders work together to hold the line and cover the space behind when the team pushes up.

The midfield is crowded to control the center of the pitch. Laimer and Alaba form a double pivot to shield the defence. Using his pressing intensity, Laimer disrupts play while Alaba uses his passing range to move the ball. Seiwald and Schlager operate in the central areas to connect the defence to the attack. Driving forward into the half spaces, Seiwald carries the ball with purpose. Sabitzer plays as an attacking ten behind the lone striker. He looks to find the feet of the striker or make late runs into the box to cause trouble.

In the final third, the attack is led by three players. Baumgartner acts as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender. R. Schmid and P. Wimmer play as wide wingers who spread wide to stretch the defence. Cutting inside to create chances is a common move for R. Schmid. Meanwhile, P. Wimmer looks to get to the byline and deliver early balls into the box. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This formation creates many runs in behind.

This formation offers significant numerical superiority in the midfield. With five players in the center, Austria can easily win the second ball and control the game. Pressing in high waves allows the team to win it back high up the pitch. Such movement creates many chances for quick transitions.

This 2-5-3 formation is a high pressing identity designed to dominate games. It is best suited for matches against opponents that prefer to sit deep and defend in a low block.