125 JAHRE SK RAPID
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22.09.2018
tipico Bundesliga

Chances created but derby lost

With 26,000 tickets sold, the Allianz Stadium had been sold out since Friday: not only was Hütteldorf buzzing with excitement ahead of the 327th Vienna derby, the match had captured the attention of the entire city. The international break had provided welcome rest for the players, meaning it was a recharged Rapid side that took to the field against their local rivals. Mert Müldür again found himself on the team sheet starting at right back, whilst Mario Sonnleitner and Mateo Barac formed central defence. Andrei Ivan started as one of the forwards behind lone striker Deni Alar, who got the nod over Andrija Pavlovic - it was the first time our new signing was available or selection after suffering a serious muscle injury shortly after his summer arrival in Austria. Pavlovic watched from the bench, where he would have been encouraged by the start his team mates made.

The first chance came when Alar zipped a low ball across the goalmouth, Austria keeper Penz got a hand on it, with Christoph Knasmüllner turning the rebound just wide of the target (2.). Murg and Ivan then combined, with the Romanian testing Penz at his near post (4.). At the other end of the field, Austria broke with pace creating a chance for Friesenbichler, who shot wide from a promising position (6.). Edomwonyi then put a header wide of the target (8.), before Richard Strebinger was called into action, punching clear a shot from Friesenbichler (14.).

The game continued to flow from end to end: A shot from Igor went past the far post by a matter of inches (16.), before Murg floated in an excellent cross for Alar, who should’ve done better with his header which failed to hit the target (23.). Andrei Ivan then made a great run, popping up alone in front of goal, but again the finish was missing with Ivan unable to force the ball over the line (31.). Penz was then again on hand to deny the Green & Whites, this time Potzmann, whose header back in the direction of the cross was dealt with by the Austria custodian (36.). The final chance of the half fell to Alar, who didn't get the necessary power on his attempt (44.). Rapid had had the better of the first half and should've been leading going into the break – a dangerous situation to be in in football…

There were no changes at half time, but Rapid quickly found the groove again: A shot from Murg took a dangerous deflection, landing inches wide of the goal (51.). But slowly Austria emerged into the match and began forcing the Hütteldorfers back towards their own goal: Strebinger produced an excellent save to keep out Venuto's shot from a tight angle (54.), and the Rapid goalie kept a cool head when a deflected low cross landed at the feet of Austria skipper Grünwald, but the Austria man couldn't find a way past the in-form keeper (55.). But just minutes later the hammer blow fell: the ball worked its way to the Violets' captain from a corner, who lashed the ball beyond a helpless Strebinger from the edge of the area to give his side the lead – 0:1 (58.).

Rapid could've restored parity immediately, but a shot from Murg was too weak to trouble Penz in the visitors' goal (60.). Pavlovic came off the bench to make his debut, with Veton Berisha also introduced from the bench, and it was Berisha who next threatened for Rapid, but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked by an Austria body (78.). The closing stages of the match were hectic, with the crowd playing their part as the Green ^ Whites hunted an equaliser. But sadly, no further concrete chances were created. The whistle went, the derby was lost, pure disappointment for the majority of the 26,000 onlookers. But on Thursday there is a chance to put this game behind us: Spartak Moscow visit Vienna in the first match day of the UEL. Rapid must be ready for the challenge the Russians will provide.

(gw)

tipico Bundesliga, 7th round:
SK Rapid - FK Austria 0:1 (0:0)

Allianz Stadion, 26.000 Attendance, Ref Weinberger

Goal: 0:1 Grünwald (57.);

SK Rapid: Strebinger – Müldür (58./Auer), Sonnleitner, Barac, Potzmann – D. Ljubicic, Schwab – Murg, Knasmüllner (68./Pavlovic), Ivan (73./Berisha) – Alar

FK Austria: Pentz – Klein, Madl, Schoissengeyr, Igor – Ebner, Matic – Friesenbichler (77./Demaku), Grünwald, Venuto (81./Ewandro) – Edomwonyi (87./Monschein)

Yellow Cards: Barac, Müldür, Knoflach (auf Ersatzbank), Schwab, Berisha; Friesenbichler, Schoissengeyr, Igor, Ewandro, Monschein, Madl