Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Prass · Laimer · Danso · Lienhart · Schlager · Seiwald · Sabitzer · Baumgartner · R. Schmid · Wanner · Zawieschitzky

Austria aims to control the game through heavy pressing and rapid vertical play using a 2-5-3 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch to catch opponents out of position. The team looks to dominate the central areas while using the wide players to stretch the defence during transitions.

Zawieschitzky sits between the posts to start any build up. Ahead of him, Danso and Lienhart operate as a pair of central defenders in a narrow defensive block. Danso uses his aerial strength to defend against long balls, while Lienhart works to cover the space behind when the team pushes high. This back two must be very disciplined to prevent runners from getting in behind, often forcing the midfield to drop deep to help clear the lines.

The midfield is a dense five man unit designed to squeeze the space in the center of the pitch. Laimer and Prass act as a double pivot to shield the two central defenders and win the second ball. Seiwald and Schlager operate in the half spaces to connect the defensive line to the attack, often making late runs into the box to support the forwards. Sabitzer plays as the attacking ten, sitting in the hole to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines with his passing range.

The attacking line utilizes three players to pin the last defender and create chaos. Baumgartner acts as a pressing centre forward to trigger a press from the front and hold up the ball for others. R. Schmid and Wanner play as wide wingers who stay high to provide width. R. Schmid likes to cut inside to create goal scoring chances, while Wanner seeks to get to the byline to whip it in for the central players.

Austria gains a massive advantage through numerical superiority in the middle of the park. By crowding the center with five midfielders, they make it very difficult for opponents to progress through the thirds. The team also benefits from a high press in coordinated waves, using the intensity of players like Laimer to win it back high up the pitch and launch immediate attacks.

This formation is built to overwhelm opponents who try to play out from the back. It is best suited for matches where Austria can use their high intensity to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition.