Overview
Raphael Holzhauser, born on 16 February 1993, is an Austrian professional footballer who operates predominantly as a central midfielder. Hailing from Wiener Neustadt, Holzhauser has built a career noted for his technical proficiency, passing range, and set-piece delivery. Standing at 1.93 meters, his physical presence is a notable aspect of his game, allowing him to contest aerial duels and provide a robust anchor in midfield.
Position
Holzhauser's primary position is central midfield, where he typically functions as a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced attacking midfielder. His versatility has also seen him deployed in a box-to-box role, leveraging his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. He plays a key role in dictating the tempo of play, distributing the ball, and initiating attacking moves from the middle third of the pitch. His left foot is a significant asset, particularly in delivering accurate long passes and dangerous free-kicks.
Identity
Often identified as a 'deep-lying playmaker' or 'quarterback midfielder', Holzhauser's game revolves around his vision and ability to unlock defenses with precise passes. He is known for his leadership qualities on the field, often taking charge of dead-ball situations and acting as a conduit between defense and attack. His career has seen him become a vital cog for various clubs, particularly in the Austrian Bundesliga and Belgian Pro League, where his consistent performances have garnered recognition.
Career path
Raphael Holzhauser's footballing journey began in his native Austria before moving to one of Europe's prominent academies. He developed through the youth ranks of Austria Wien before making a significant move to the VfB Stuttgart academy in Germany in 2007. His progression through Stuttgart's youth system was steady, culminating in his senior professional debut for VfB Stuttgart II in the 3. Liga during the 2010-11 season [Transfermarkt].
VfB Stuttgart and Loan Spells (2010-2013)
Holzhauser made his first-team debut for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga in 2010. While at Stuttgart, he gained valuable experience, but regular first-team opportunities were limited. During the 2012-13 season, he was loaned to Grasshopper Club Zürich in Switzerland, where he made a notable impact, contributing to their Schweizer Cup triumph [Wikipedia]. This loan spell provided him with consistent playing time and further refined his abilities.
Return to Austria Wien (2013-2018)
In 2013, Holzhauser returned to Austria, signing for his boyhood club FK Austria Wien. This move proved to be a pivotal period in his career, as he established himself as a key player and a fan favorite. Over five seasons, he became known for his prolific goal-scoring from midfield, particularly through penalties and free-kicks, and his consistent assist tallies. He captained the side and played a central role in their domestic and European campaigns, including appearances in the UEFA Europa League.
European Ventures (2018-Present)
Following his successful tenure at Austria Wien, Holzhauser embarked on new challenges in other European leagues. In 2018, he moved to Grasshopper Club Zürich for a permanent spell. Later, in 2019, he joined Belgian Pro League side K Beerschot VA. At Beerschot, Holzhauser enjoyed a particularly strong period, showcasing his creative abilities and leadership, which led to significant individual recognition. His performances were instrumental in the team's attacking play, cementing his reputation as a top-tier midfielder in the Belgian league [Transfermarkt].
Playing style
Raphael Holzhauser's playing style is characterized by a blend of technical finesse, tactical intelligence, and a powerful left foot. As a central midfielder, he excels in orchestrating play from deep, often acting as the primary link between defense and attack. His vision allows him to spot progressive passes and execute them with accuracy, breaking lines and creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Technical Attributes
- Passing Range: Holzhauser possesses an extensive passing range, capable of delivering pinpoint long balls to switch play or launch quick counter-attacks. His short passing game is equally effective, maintaining possession and building rhythm. Statistics from platforms like Sofascore often highlight his high pass completion rates and key passes per game, underscoring his influence on offensive transitions [Sofascore].
- Set-Piece Delivery: He is a renowned specialist from dead-ball situations. His free-kicks and corners are consistently dangerous, often leading to assists or direct goals. Many of his goals come from direct free-kicks, showcasing his accuracy and power.
- Shooting: While primarily a creator, Holzhauser has a powerful shot from distance, making him a threat from outside the box. His penalty-taking record is also strong, demonstrating composure and precision under pressure.
- Ball Control: Despite his height, Holzhauser exhibits good close control, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and retain possession under pressure.
Tactical Role and Comparison
Holzhauser typically operates as a deep-lying playmaker, akin to players like Jorginho or even Andrea Pirlo in his ability to dictate tempo and distribute the ball from a withdrawn position. He is not known for explosive pace but compensates with intelligent positioning and anticipation. Defensively, he contributes with interceptions and provides a physical presence, though his primary strengths lie in his offensive contributions. His role often involves receiving the ball from defenders, turning, and initiating attacks, making him a crucial pivot in his team's build-up play. His ability to produce high numbers of assists and contribute to goal tallies from midfield makes him a valuable asset in creative departments [FBref].
Achievements & honours
Raphael Holzhauser has accumulated several notable achievements throughout his career, both at club and individual levels. His contributions have been recognized in various competitions, highlighting his impact on the teams he has represented.
Club Honours
Holzhauser's first significant club honour came during his loan spell in Switzerland.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper Club Zürich | Schweizer Cup | 2012–13 |
During his time at FK Austria Wien, while the team did not secure a major trophy during his tenure, Holzhauser was instrumental in their consistent top-tier performances and qualification for European competitions, including the UEFA Europa League group stages. His individual impact during these periods was significant, contributing to the club's overall success and profile.
Individual Accolades
Holzhauser's most decorated period individually came during his time in Belgium with K Beerschot VA. His performances in the Belgian Pro League earned him significant recognition:
- Belgian Pro League Player of the Year: His exceptional form saw him awarded this prestigious individual honour, recognizing him as the league's top performer during a particular season.
- Golden Boot Contender: He consistently ranked among the top goal-scorers and assist providers from midfield, demonstrating his direct impact on goal contributions.
These individual awards underscore his ability to influence games from midfield, both through his playmaking and goal-scoring prowess, cementing his status as one of the most effective midfielders in the leagues he has played in.
International career
Raphael Holzhauser has represented Austria at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. His journey through the national youth teams provided him with crucial experience and exposure to international football, preparing him for the senior stage.
Youth International Appearances
Holzhauser featured for Austria's U17, U18, U19, and U21 national teams. These youth appearances were vital for his development, allowing him to compete against top young talent from across Europe. He participated in qualification campaigns for various UEFA European Youth Championships, often playing a central role in midfield for his age group [oefb.at].
Senior National Team
Holzhauser earned his first call-up to the Austria senior national team, making his debut on 7 October 2020, in a friendly match against Greece [FIFA]. He has since accumulated a total of two caps for Austria.
While his international career at senior level has been somewhat intermittent, his call-ups reflect periods of strong club form. His role for the national team has typically been as a creative midfielder, providing depth and a different tactical option from the bench or occasional starts. The competition for midfield places in the Austrian squad is strong, but Holzhauser's unique attributes, particularly his set-piece ability and passing vision, offer a distinct advantage when deployed.
He has not yet featured in a major international tournament such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship, but his contributions to the qualification campaigns and friendly matches attest to his standing within the national football setup.
What makes Raphael Holzhauser stand out
Raphael Holzhauser distinguishes himself through his exceptional vision and precise left-footed passing, making him a true midfield orchestrator. His ability to deliver killer passes from deep, coupled with his prowess from set-pieces, consistently creates goal-scoring opportunities for his teams. He is not merely a passer; his knack for scoring from long range and penalties adds another dimension to his game, making him a significant offensive threat.
Another standout trait is his leadership on the pitch. Often wearing the captain's armband, Holzhauser's calm demeanor and tactical intelligence allow him to dictate play and organize his teammates effectively. His consistency in maintaining high performance levels over multiple seasons, particularly in different leagues, highlights his adaptability and professional dedication.
"Holzhauser is a player who always knows where the ball needs to go next. His left foot is a weapon, and he can change a game with one pass or one free-kick."