Well-drilled pressing
With the majority of their players based in the Bundesliga, it is not surprising that Austria’s game is based on a well-drilled pressing of the opposition. Their total of 404 balls recovered in the European qualifiers is one of the best in the competition and they averaged 59 per cent possession. Yet, there is still a feeling that the attack lacks creative spark and that there is too much emphasis on not conceding goals.
The first big question for Foda, who generally uses a 4-2-3-1, is where to play David Alaba. He is comfortable at left-back or in midfield and, under Foda, has played in both roles although more recently in defence. If he plays in midfield, Andreas Ulmer becomes the left-back.
Julian Baumgartlinger has become a fixture as one of the pair in front of the defence for the best part of a decade but suffered a knee injury in January and may not be fit in time. In his absence Stefan Ilsanker would take one of the two places, partnered possibly by Florian Grillitsch.
Up front Michael Gregoritsch was preferred in qualifying, although Marko Arnautovic is still in the reckoning and Sasa Kalajdzic is showing huge promise.