Three-defence duel looms as GAK host Austria Lustenau in Graz

GAK will welcome Austria Lustenau in Graz on Thursday at 19:30, setting up a tactical face‑off between two coaches who favour a three‑centre‑back system. The encounter follows a season in which the Austrian Bundesliga has increasingly tilted towards the back three, leaving only Salzburg regularly employing a four‑defence.

Three-defence dominance in the Bundesliga

During the spring, the league appeared to have settled into a three‑defence haven, with almost every top‑flight side abandoning the traditional back four. LASK accelerated the trend under coach Didi Kühbauer, switching to three centre‑backs and subsequently securing the double.

Other clubs have mirrored the shift: Sturm Graz now resorts to a back three only in rare matches such as the 0‑0 draw with Rennes, while Rapid Vienna has moved from occasional trios to a permanent two‑centre‑back line. Ried, WSG Tirol and the promoted Austria Lustenau have also altered their formations, reducing the number of central defenders compared with the spring period.

GAK versus Austria – tactical showdown in Graz

GAK’s new coach Gerald Scheiblehner inherited the three‑defence set‑up from former boss Feldhofer, and his record has quickly improved to two wins and a draw since taking charge. The club remains unbeaten at home across nine matches, prompting expectations of a continued points streak.

Austrian side Austria Lustenau is led by long‑term coach Stephan Helm, who, like Scheiblehner, relies on a reinforced back line. Helm, who has never lost a league duel against the “Rote”, warned that the contest will be tight, stating: “Scheiblehner brings a clear idea and knows the league very well. We are well prepared, want to take the momentum from the late win against Lustenau and must give our maximum in all aspects to win against GAK.”

Helm’s side still feels the sting of a recent 1‑2 defeat after leading against the former league bottom team, a loss that may fuel their determination in Thursday’s match. The fixture also precedes the ninth derby against Altach at 17:00, a game that promises another close Ländle duel as Altach, a faithful three‑defence outfit, has under‑performed offensively.