Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria plays a direct and high pressing game using a 5-2-3. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and hit in behind on the transition. They focus on verticality to catch the opposition before they can organize their defence and use the width of the pitch to stretch the lines.

Schlager acts as the goalkeeper to anchor the defensive unit. Austria defends in a back five, with Seiwald holding the center while Danso and Lienhart play as wide center backs. Friedl and Laimer function as attacking wing backs who are expected to provide width and overlap the wide players. The defenders must be ready to step up to set the offside trap or drop into a low block to protect the goal when the unit sits deep.

The midfield is composed of a double pivot consisting of Sabitzer and R. Schmid. Sabitzer has the freedom to carry the ball forward and arrive late into the box to support the attack. R. Schmid works to shield the defence and connect the lines by recycling possession. This pair must press aggressively to win the ball back and prevent the opposition from playing out from the back through the center.

Three players across the front provide the main attacking threat. Arnautovic serves as a target man who can hold up the ball and link up play between the lines. On the flanks, Baumgartner and P. Wimmer act as wingers who look to cut inside to create a central presence. This movement creates space for the wing backs to get to the byline and whip it in for the striker to attack the far post. The forwards also press from the front to force a long ball and disrupt the opponent's build up.

One major strength of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads. When Laimer and Friedl push forward, they create numerical superiority in the wide areas. They also benefit from a high press that allows them to win it back high up the pitch and break quickly. This allows for rapid transitions and puts immediate pressure on the opposition to defend in tight spaces.

The 5-2-3 formation combines defensive compactness with rapid attacking transitions. This lineup is most effective when facing opponents that play a high line and struggle to defend runners in behind.