Austria National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Austria focuses on high intensity and winning the ball back high up the pitch in a 2-5-3. This formation is built to play a vertical style of football that looks to hit in behind on the transition. The team aims to squeeze the space in the middle of the park to force errors from the opposition.

Zawieschitzky starts between the posts to oversee the defensive line. The back line consists of a narrow pair of central defenders with Danso and Lienhart. Danso provides aerial strength and physical presence while Lienhart acts as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back. This duo must hold the line and cover much ground because the formation relies on a high line to keep the team compact.

The midfield is a dense five man unit designed to dominate the center. Prass and Laimer operate as a double pivot to shield the two defenders and win the second ball. Seiwald and Schlager play as two inverted eights who move into the half spaces to connect the lines. R. Schmid plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to find the feet of the striker and deliver passes through the lines. This midfield unit works to compress the midfield and ensure the team can recycle possession quickly.

In the attacking phase, Austria uses three attackers to stretch the defence. Wanner and Wurmbrand play as wide wingers who stay high to pin the last defender on each side. Wanner tends to look for one on one situations while Wurmbrand works to cut inside and create space. Baumgartner plays as a pressing centre forward to lead the line and fight for the ball. The goal is to use the width provided by the wingers to create cutbacks from the byline or quick combinations in the final third.

Austria gains a massive advantage through numerical superiority in midfield. By having five players in the center, they can often bypass the midfield of the opposition with ease. The formation also allows for the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it very difficult for opponents to play short from the back. This setup forces a long ball which the central defenders can easily clear the lines.

This 2-5-3 formation is designed for a high press and quick verticality. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play under pressure and rely on building play from the back.