UEFA Youth League: Atlético Edge Past Resilient Rapid

The Atlético de Madrid U-19s were the visitors to the Weststadion for a Round of 32 tie in the prestigious UEFA Youth League. Having already eliminated Braga and Basel, the young Rapid team were looking to secure another eye-catching win against the Spaniards, and advance to the Round of 16. To this end, head coaches Jürgen Kerber and Florian Forster fielded a starting eleven that included Daniel Nunoo, Furkan Dursun and Eaden Roka, who had all recently played for the first team. In the end, a strong fight and a solid performance would not be rewarded with the win.

The first dangerous action of the game belonged to the visitors, who fortunately just missed the frame of Benjamin Göschl's Rapid goal (3’). This opening action was followed by a long stoppage due to an injury - a Madrid player eventually had to be carried off on a stretcher (10’). Atlético then had two great chances - first our goalkeeper Göschl made a massive save to keep the ball out, then the Spanish attacker put the follow-up just wide of the right-hand post (14’). The first goal attempt for the Green & Whites followed immediately afterwards, but Mücahit Ibrahimoglu fired the ball well over the crossbar (16’). A little later, however, the time had come: Eaden Roka danced past his marker on the right and then crossed for captain Jovan Zivkovic, who hit the back of the net at the second attempt (22')! Furkan Dursun created the next good opportunity for the home side when he broke through strongly, but his shot flew just wide of the Spanish goal (27'). The visitors then equalised in the closing stages of the first half (38'), but the home side had one more chance still to come: Jovan Zivkovic almost bagged himself a brace in stoppage time of the first half, yet agonisingly he hit the crossbar with a beautifully struck direct free-kick (45’+2). As a result, the game remained tied for the time being and the teams went in at the break with the score at 1-1.

Atlético also began the second half by putting our team under pressure, and forced Benjamin Göschl, who had been outstanding up to that point, to make two more good saves (47', 49'). However, our team then got into the game more, and were able to create the first really good opportunity via Jovan Zivkovic after the restart. The captain outpaced two opponents and shot just inches wide of the right-hand post (59'). Shortly afterwards, the young Spaniards unfortunately got themselves into the lead through a move down the left-hand side (61'). The Hütteldorfers were not to be deterred, however, and had a huge chance midway through the second half: Daris Djezic and Eaden Roka both failed to beat the keeper, before Furkan Dursun put the loose ball over the bar (70'). A short time later, it was Benjamin Göschl again who prevented a third goal (74'). In the Rapid quarter-hour, the spectators witnessed one-way traffic, as our young team pressed hard for an equaliser, but unfortunately it was not to be. As a result, the match ended in a 2-1 defeat, which meant the Green & White youngsters would bow out of the UEFA Youth League, having shown a spirited display to round off a very positive UYL campaign.