Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Lienhart · Friedl · Danso · P. Wimmer · Veratschnig · Schlager · Seiwald · Wanner · Grüll · R. Schmid · Schlager

Austria looks to control games through high pressing and verticality in a 3-4-3. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and hit the opposition with speed. The team aims to stretch the defence by using wide players to create chances in transition.

Schlager plays between the lines as the goalkeeper to help play out from the back. A back three consists of Friedl, Lienhart, and Danso. Friedl and Danso act as the wide centre-backs to cover the space when the wingers push high, while Lienhart holds the line as the central defender. This unit works to squeeze the space between the lines and win the second ball.

The midfield functions as a central block where Seiwald and Schlager operate as a double pivot. Seiwald protects the centre and tracks runners, while Schlager looks to carry the ball forward and link the defence to the attack. On the flanks, Veratschnig and P. Wimmer act as wide midfielders who provide width and support the wingers. They must drop back to help the defence when the team is out of possession.

In the final third, Austria uses three attackers to pin the last defender. Grüll operates as a pressing centre-forward to force long balls, while Wanner and R. Schmid act as wide attackers. Wanner tends to cut inside to find space, whereas R. Schmid stays wider to cross. This front line works to create runs in behind and isolate defenders in one on one situations.

The tactical advantages of this lineup include the ability to press high in coordinated waves and provide wide overloads. By using the wingers and wide midfielders together, Austria can overwhelm the opposition flanks. The presence of Seiwald and Schlager in the middle also offers compactness when defending in a mid-block.

Austria relies on a high intensity press and quick vertical passing to break teams down. This formation is best suited for games against opponents who play a high line or struggle to play out from the back.