Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Arnautovic · Baumgartner · P. Wimmer · R. Schmid · Sabitzer · Seiwald · Laimer · Danso · Lienhart · Mwene · Lucic

Austria employs a high press and vertical style of play within a 5-2-3 formation. The lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and use quick transitions to attack the opposition before they can settle. This system relies on the players to squeeze the space and force mistakes in the opponent's half, making it a very aggressive way to play.

Lucic operates in goal to sweep behind the defensive unit when the team pushes up. The back line consists of a back five where Seiwald sits in the middle to hold the line and defend zonally. Danso plays as the left centre back and uses his aerial strength to win the header, while Lienhart acts as the right centre back to cover the space and pick up runners. Mwene and Laimer act as attacking wing backs to provide width. Mwene will push high to overlap the winger, while Laimer will carry the ball forward to support the attack.

The midfield operates as a double pivot with Sabitzer and R. Schmid controlling the central area. Sabitzer is able to drive forward with the ball to break the line, while R. Schmid focuses on pressing aggressively to win it back high up the pitch. These two players connect the defensive block to the attacking front three. They must work to compress the midfield and ensure they do not get bypassed by the opposition. When the team is out of possession, they drop into a mid-block to protect the center.

Up front, Austria uses three attackers to create constant pressure. Arnautovic acts as the lone striker who can hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. P. Wimmer and Baumgartner play as wide attackers who often cut inside to create goal scoring chances. This movement allows the wing backs to overlap and whip it in to target the far post. The attackers will press from the front to force a long ball, allowing the defensive unit to win the second ball.

A major advantage for Austria is the ability to create wide overloads. Because Mwene and Laimer push so high, they can double up on opposition wingers and isolate their own wide players in one on one situations. The formation also allows for great compactness when defending. The combination of a back five and a two man midfield makes it difficult for teams to play through the lines or find space between the units.

This 5-2-3 formation is a way to balance defensive coverage with rapid attacking thrusts. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle with high pressing or play with a high defensive line.