Football, Tactics | Oleg Braginsky, Vlad Burlaka
Alpin republic’s success at EURO 2024 was built on tactical discipline and innovative strategies. Together with Oleg Braginsky, founder of School of Troubleshooters, and football expert Vlad Burlaka, analyze their defensive and pressing strengths, key statistical achievements, and the influence of The Professor’s modern football philosophy, showcasing how Austria became a formidable force in the tournament.
The national team displayed an impressive EURO 2024 campaign marked by tactical discipline and defensive solidity. Statistically, Austria led the tournament in key defensive metrics: they ranked 1st in tackles, attempts, and passes blocked, underlining their proactive approach in breaking up opposition play.
Additionally, they were 3rd in interceptions per match (29), and tackles won (55.7%), reflecting their organized defensive structure and well-drilled midfield. While ranked 7th in possession won in midfield (61), their ability to regain control in central areas supported their transition-based strategy.
Offensively, Austria averaged 1.6 goals per game, utilizing rapid counterattacks and structured build-up play to exploit defensive gaps. Alpins pressing game was one of the most intense in the tournament, ranking 2nd in pressure intensity (8.4 PPDA), a testament to their high-energy approach.
However, this aggressive style came with a physical edge: the team averaged 16.3 fouls per match and accumulated 10 yellow cards, making them one of the most cautioned sides. Despite this, their discipline in executing a cohesive game plan ensured consistent performances, particularly in the group stages.
Head coach played a crucial role in Das Team's success, instilling a modern and high-intensity style of play. His tactical blueprint revolved around pressing, quick transitions, and defensive solidity. Rangnick's emphasis on collective organization was evident in Austria's defensive dominance and midfield control.
The team's ability to adapt to different opponents, such as employing a compact 5-3-2 against stronger sides while reverting to a high-pressing 4-4-2, highlighted his tactical flexibility in-game management also earned praise, with timely substitutions and formation tweaks often tilting games Burschen's favor.
His focus on youth development blended well with the experienced core of the balanced squad. While Austria's campaign ended in the quarterfinals, it reflected significant progress under Ralf's leadership, with the team emerging as one of the tournament's most tactically cohesive and defensively resilient sides.
Let’s take an advanced view at different varieties of tactics showcased by the team during the tournament.
First, step up to in possession analysis
Low block. Build-up 1-4-2-3-1 / 1-4-2-2-2 with creating numerical superiority in the middle…
Low block. Second option advantage behind the ball while long pass using during the build-up…
High/Middle block. Build-up rotation using 1-2-4-3-1 with the tight structure for possible counterpressure…
Middle/High block. 1-3-1-5-1 by creating 3v2 instead of 2v2 against the opposition’s forwards…
High block. Overloads in the middle create spaces out wide for the fullbacks to attack the wings…
High block. Fullbacks to attack the space in behind prevent the opponent from playing high…
High block. Attack half-spaces between the fullback and center back by underlapping…
High block. Attack on the wing 2v1 with the fullback by overlapping and crossing…
High block. Finishing in the penalty box using cross by getting a numerical advantage with 5-7 players…
High block. Second ball and cut-back options outside the box with numerical superiority…
Switching to out-of-possession gameplay to observe whole picture of the continuity approach
High block. Pressing in 1-4-4-2 to push the opponent on the side to close the diagonal options…
High block. Creating aggressive overloads to push the opponent on the ball side…
Middle block. Creating constant pressure to stay compact using sideways and back pass triggers…
Low block. Maximum pushing the opponent upfront, staying compact, making the space between…
Trying to deep-dive into the transition phases from attack to defense and vice versa to see the possible pros and cons of the most effective goalscoring part of the game
Offensive. High-tempo aggressive counterattacking spaces between center backs and fullbacks…
Defensive. Creating the right shape for immediate transition with many players close to the ball…
Defensive. Creating numerical advantage in the midfield to close the distance to cut off passing lines…
Defensive. Using a hybrid format within zonal and man-marking 4-3-1 (four zonally, three personally, one holding) …
Offensive. Using eight players around the box with two holding on the edge…
Offensive. Overloading the six-yard box with five players, three on the near post, and two outside…
Austria’s EURO 2024 campaign demonstrated how a cohesive tactical approach and effective team dynamics can drive success at the highest level. Their defensive resilience and pressing intensity disrupted opponents and allowed them to control crucial phases of play.
The balance between fixed and dynamic roles within the team structure was central to their performance. Players in fixed roles, such as the goalkeeper, center-backs, and fullbacks provided stability by consistently covering vulnerable areas on the pitch.
Meanwhile, those in dynamic roles adapted positioning based on the phase of play or opponent’s strategy, ensuring flexibility and unpredictability in Austria’s game plan. This strategic emphasis on structured transitions and adaptability highlights the importance of role clarity and versatility in modern football.
Moreover, Unsere Burschen’s ability to blend youth development with experienced leadership created a balanced squad capable of executing complex strategies under pressure.
The tournament underscored the significance of tactical innovation, as seen in Austria’s ability to outmaneuver opponents through meticulous preparation and on-the-fly adjustments.
Ultimately, The Boys’s journey serves as a blueprint for teams aiming to compete with consistency and flair on the international stage.