Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Friedl · Lienhart · Danso · Laimer · Grillitsch · Arnautovic · R. Schmid · Schlager · Wanner · Sabitzer · Wiegele

Austria focuses on a high press and lightning fast transitions to catch opponents out of position. The tactical identity is built around a heavy press and rapid verticality. This team operates using a 5-2-3 formation that looks to win the ball high up the pitch to create immediate scoring chances.

Wiegele stays alert behind a compact defensive unit. The back line consists of a central trio where Grillitsch sits in the middle to lead the line. Danso acts as a left centre back to cover space and use his strength, while Lienhart plays as the right centre back to win the header and defend zonally. Friedl and Laimer provide the width as attacking wing backs, pushing high to support the attack and tracking back to form a five when defending deep. This allows the team to shift between a narrow block and a wide defensive block.

The midfield features a double pivot consisting of Schlager and Sabitzer. Sabitzer uses his passing range to switch play and move the ball quickly, while Schlager focuses on pressing aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch. This pairing works to squeeze the space in the middle and connects the defence to the attack. They are tasked to pick up runners and ensure the team remains compact during the transition from attack to defence, often dropping into a mid-block when the opponent has possession.

Up front, the team employs three attackers to pin the last defender. Arnautovic serves as a target man to hold up the ball and find teammates. R. Schmid operates as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and create chances in central areas. Wanner stays wide on the right to stretch the defence and provide width. The team aims to break quickly and hit in behind on the transition through combinations between the wingers and the striker, often using the wingers to get to the byline before delivering a cross.

A major advantage for the Die Roten is the ability to create wide overloads. By having Friedl and Laimer push high, they create two on one situations against opposing full backs to win the ball back or deliver crosses. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, which makes it difficult for the opponent to play short from the back and forces them to go direct. This creates opportunities for the back three to intercept long balls and start a new attack.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for aggressive, vertical football. It is most effective against teams that struggle with a high press or leave large amounts of space behind their defenders.