Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Prass · Danso · Lienhart · Laimer · Seiwald · Sabitzer · Florucz · Baumgartner · R. Schmid · P. Wimmer · Pentz

Austria aims to play with heavy intensity and a relentless press. They utilize a 2-5-3 formation to control the pitch. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly advance into the final third. The team wants to stay compact and force errors from the opposition through constant pressure.

Pentz operates in goal to start the build up. The defensive unit consists of a very narrow back two with Danso and Lienhart. Danso is dominant in the air while Lienhart acts as a covering defender. They play with a high line to squeeze the space and prevent the opponent from turning. Because they use only two central defenders, they must work together to defend zonally and manage the space behind them. They often step up to set the offside trap when the opposition tries to play through the lines.

The midfield is the engine of this lineup for Austria. It is a five man midfield block. Laimer and Prass work as a double pivot to shield the defense and win the second ball. Sabitzer, who has a great passing range, and Seiwald occupy the half spaces to drive forward with the ball. R. Schmid plays as an attacking ten in the hole to find spaces between the lines. This group is tasked to press aggressively to win the ball high and connect the defensive and attacking lines.

The attacking line features three players working in unison. Baumgartner works as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender and disrupt the build up. P. Wimmer and Florucz provide width as wide wingers. P. Wimmer looks to cut inside to create chances, while Florucz stays wide to stretch the defence. This formation allows for quick combinations in tight spaces and creates many chances to hit in behind on the transition. They look to use overlaps and cutbacks to score.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages. There is massive numerical superiority in midfield which helps the team control the ball and recycle possession. They can also press high in coordinated waves to force a long ball from the opponent. The speed of transition is another strength, as Laimer uses his high pressing intensity to win the ball and carry it forward quickly. This allows the team to switch play and catch the opposition out of position.

This 2-5-3 formation relies on high intensity and controlling the middle of the pitch. It is a formation that works best when facing teams that try to play out from the back.