Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria plays with a high press and verticality in this 3-4-3. The team looks to win the ball high up the pitch and move forward with pace to punish the opposition. This lineup is designed to exert pressure across the whole pitch, using a wide front three to force turnovers and create many chances in transition.

N. Schmid stays behind a back three that can sit in a mid-block or push up a high line. Lienhart serves as the central ball playing defender, looking to play short from the back to build play and find teammates. Danso uses his aerial strength on the right to win the second ball, while Friedl provides cover on the left side of the defence. The unit works together to squeeze the space and deny the turn to opposing attackers.

The midfield engine is driven by Seiwald and Schlager in the centre. Seiwald acts to shield the defence and press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. Schlager works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, often arriving late into the box to support the forwards. P. Wimmer and Laimer operate as the wide midfielders, responsible for tracking back to help the defence and providing the width needed to stretch the defence when they attack.

In the attacking phase, Baumgartner leads the line as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender. Sabitzer plays on the right as an inverted winger, looking to cut inside and use his passing range to find the feet of the striker. R. Schmid provides width on the left, stretching the opposition to create pockets of space in the half-spaces. The front three combine in tight spaces to play through the lines or use the width to deliver early crosses.

One major advantage for Austria is the ability to press high in coordinated waves using the front three and the wide players. The central presence of Seiwald and Schlager ensures compactness when defending against central attacks. Additionally, the team uses the speed of transition to hit in behind on the transition whenever the ball is recovered in the middle third of the pitch.

This 3-4-3 formation is defined by its intensity and vertical movement. It is best suited for matches against teams that play out from the back and struggle with high pressure.