Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria prioritizes a high press and vertical movement within a 5-2-3 formation. The identity focuses on winning it back high up the pitch to catch the opposition in transition. This formation is built to squeeze the space and move the ball quickly toward the goal to break the lines.

N. Schmid stays between the posts to lead the defensive unit. The back line operates as a back five where Seiwald sits in the center to cover and win the second ball. Lienhart and Friedl act as wide centre-backs to defend zonally and intercept passes. Laimer and Schlager serve as attacking wing backs who push high to provide width and overlap the wingers. The whole unit can shift to maintain a compact block when the opposition has possession, ensuring they can quickly drop into a low block if needed.

A double pivot handles the central area with R. Schmid and Sabitzer. Sabitzer uses his passing range to drive forward and play through the lines to find attackers. R. Schmid works to shield the defence and pick up runners in front of the back five. They act as the engine that connects the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession, switching play, and carrying the ball forward.

The attack is led by Arnautovic, who plays as a target man to hold up the ball and find the feet of the players. Baumgartner works as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and create chances. Wimmer stays wide on the right to stretch the defence and get to the byline. This trio aims to press from the front to force the opposition into mistakes and win the ball high up the pitch.

A major advantage is the wide overloads created by the overlapping runs of Laimer and Schlager. The team also uses the speed of transition to hit teams in behind on the transition. By pressing in pairs, the front three can trigger a press that causes chaos in the opposition half and wins the ball back quickly.

This formation allows Austria to maintain compactness when defending and strike with sudden pace. It is a perfect lineup for facing teams that struggle with high intensity pressing or when the team needs to sit deep and counter.