Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria aims to win the ball back high up the pitch with a 3-4-3 formation. The identity of the team is built on a high press and vertical play. This lineup is designed to play a direct game that relies on heavy running to unsettle the opponent. The goal is to squeeze the space in the middle third to force a turnover.

Lucic acts as the goalkeeper to command the area. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of Lienhart, Friedl, and Danso. Lienhart acts as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back and find teammates in the midfield. Danso uses his aerial strength to win the header and clear the lines when the opposition plays long. Friedl covers the space to the left to intercept passes and mark the runner. This unit works to hold a compact shape to deny the turn to attackers.

In the center of the pitch, Schlager and Seiwald form a midfield pairing to control the game. Schlager works to win the second ball and shield the defense. Seiwald helps to carry the ball forward to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Laimer and P. Wimmer provide the width as wide midfielders. Using his pressing intensity, Laimer works to win it back high up the pitch. P. Wimmer covers the flank and helps to recycle possession to keep the tempo high.

The attacking unit uses three players across the front to stretch the opposition. Baumgartner operates as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender. Sabitzer plays as an inverted winger on the right who looks to cut inside and find the feet of the striker. This player uses his passing range to split the defence with a through ball. R. Schmid stays wide on the left to pull wide and whip it in. They look to break quickly in transition and find space between the lines.

This formation offers several tactical advantages for Austria. One benefit is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to force a long ball. Wide overloads are created by Laimer and P. Wimmer when they push up the pitch. The central trio provides stability to defend zonally in a mid-block. Rapid speed of transition allows the forwards to hit in behind on the transition constantly.

This 3-4-3 formation is built to play a high intensity game that forces errors. It is best suited for facing teams that prefer to play out from the back and leave space behind their defense.