Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria plays a high intensity game built to win the ball high up the pitch. The team uses a 2-5-3 formation to dominate the center of the park and push the opposition back. This lineup aims to press relentlessly and move the ball quickly to the front three to catch defenders off guard.

Schlager stays in goal to organize the defensive unit. The back line is a high line consisting of Lienhart and Danso. Both Lienhart and Danso must act as ball playing defenders to help play out from the back and start attacks. Because there are only two central defenders, they must be ready to cover the wide areas and squeeze the space if the midfield line is broken.

The midfield uses a five man block to control the center of the pitch. Alaba and Laimer act as a deep lying pairing to shield the defense. Alaba uses his passing range to progress through the thirds, while Laimer works to win the second ball and drive forward. Schlager and Seiwald operate as central midfielders to link the defense and attack. Sabitzer plays as an attacking ten to find space between the lines and arrive late into the box. This midfield unit is capable of pressing in pairs to win it back high up the pitch.

The attacking unit features three players across the front to stretch the opposition. R. Schmid and P. Wimmer act as wide wingers who push high to provide width. Both R. Schmid and P. Wimmer look to cut inside to create chances and exploit the half spaces. Baumgartner leads the line as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and find the feet of his teammates. This group uses quick combinations to hit in behind on the transition for Austria.

This 2-5-3 formation offers massive numerical superiority in the midfield. By having five players in the middle, the team can easily win the ball and recycle possession. The formation also creates wide overloads when the midfielders push up to support the wingers. The ability to press high in coordinated waves forces the opposition to make mistakes and allows the team to break quickly.

This formation is designed for high intensity pressing and quick verticality. It is most effective against teams that try to play short from the back in tight spaces.