Austria MASTERMIND Euro 2024 Tactic

Austria showed everyone that they are no pushovers by topping their group at the Euro 2024.

Their tactic seems very pragmatic and efficient and despite losing against France, I feel like they would have drawn that game if it weren’t for the own goal.

Ralf Rangnick took over the Austrian national team just after the chaos that was his reign at Manchester United.

And by the chaos I don’t mean inflicted or created by him, but by what surrounded the team at that time.

He has an impressive number of teams under his belt, so far. And he led Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig to new heights during his managerial career.

However, what he showcases managing Austria is noteworthy.

Austria wasn’t playing badly before him, but they had some poor results before he took over.

So far in this tournament, his tactic relies heavily on gegenpressing and on direct football. Also, I noticed that the passes the Austrians play must be meaningful, so no nonsense passing.

In all three group stage games, a 4-2-3-1 formation was preferred. Football Manager players would say that it is the most suitable formation for a gegenpressing style of play.

In goal, a sweeper keeper on support. This player can also be assigned defend duty. I did not see Patrick Pentz rushing out his goal at all, but he becomes a passing option when his team needs him too.

In front of him, two full backs on support and two ball playing defenders on defend duty. The full back role was preferred ahead of the wing back one as the wide defenders prioritized defending in the group stage games.

However, since both Stefan Posch and Alexander Prass ventured forward when their team was in a prolonged possession, I asked them to get further forward. And cross more often is for a different moment of play.

The two defensive midfielders can be assigned a variety of roles, but I consider them to be a half back and a deep lying playmaker.

At times, Austria attacked in a 2-4-3-1, with the two center backs high up the pitch. But there ere moments when the defensive midfielder dropped deep, in the defensive line, to cover.

Especially when they faced Poland, that had two strikers.

The front four are two inverted wingers, an advanced playmaker and an advanced forward.

The two wingers are on support, as both Romano Schmidt and Patrick Wimmer prioritized providing the striker with goalscoring passes or crosses rather than scoring themselves.

They are assigned inverted winger roles as we need them to tuck inside when the team is in possession, to make room for the full backs to overlap and cross when the opportunity arises.

The advanced playmaker, Marcel Sabitzer, is assigned an attacking duty as he had moments when he ventured towards the goal, trying and even succeeding to score.

The striker, Marko Arnautovic, must be able to move into channels, finding the best areas to attack into.

As mentality, positive, as Austria had a forward-thinking attitude in all three group stage games, irrespective of their opponent.

In possession, fairly narrow attacking width and focus play through the middle. They do tend to overload the midfield areas before releasing the players on the flanks, so they could cross the ball into the box.

Play out of defence, shorter passing directness and a higher tempo. Austria have quickened the build-up play, especially when they sensed the chance of a counterattack.

Low crosses and run at defence. Run at defence ties very well with a shorter passing directness and a higher tempo.

In transition, counter-press, counter and distribute the ball to the defence, though short kicks.

Out of possession a high press and a higher defensive line. Austria does not shy from trying to stop their opponents high up the pitch.

Especially because they use a counter press system and when it is by-passed, the higher defensive line being close, helps recovering the ball.

But beware that without the proper players, as fast as you can find for defenders, your team may get caught up high up the pitch and countered against.

Trigger press much more often and prevent the goalkeeper short distribution. And trap outside. As Austria tried to push their opponents outside when defending, crowding the defensive area.

Austria proved to be a dark horse so far in the tournament and they have their chance at the trophy if they continue playing like this.

And Ralf Rangnick proved once again that he is a great tactician, who prepares his teams very well.