Rapid boasted a record of 36 home games in a row undefeated against SV Ried, and on Saturday the Lower Austrians never threatened to end that run. Zoran Barisic's side showed no signs of any rustiness or requiring time to find their feet, as they slipped into an easy rhythm and never gave an outclassed opponent a look in. The final score line of 3:0 did little to flatter the Hütteldorfers, and the match provided a perfect warm up for the visit of Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League next week.Passing and movement goes unrewardedThere were few surprises in the Hütteldorfer line up: the inclusion of Stephan Auer at right back being the logical solution to Mario Pavelic's long term absence through injury. Rapid quickly found their tempo and their passing range and began causing the visitors problems from the outset: a crisp passing move involving Kainz, Beric and Schobesberger manufactured a chance for Captain Steffen Hofmann, but his header from an enticing position lacked the power to trouble Ried keeper Gebauer (8.). An incorrect offside decision denied Robert Beric a clear run on goal following more excellent passing football (16.), whilst Kainz unsuccessfully tried his luck from a difficult angle (24.). Minutes later Robert Beric latched onto a through ball, but at full stretch poked the ball wide under pressure from Gebauer before a key moment in the match unfolded: excellent build up play from Rapid set Philipp Schobesberger through on goal only for him to be hauled down by a despairing last man Oliver Kragl. The referee had no option but to show Kragl a red card. A slight lull set in in terms of goal mouth action ensued as the ten men of Ried neglected to show any attacking ambition, instead attempting to remain compact and hard to break down. Thanos Petsos sought to change that, testing the Ried goalie from long range and drawing him into an excellent diving save (43.). Petsos shot was the last effort of the half and despite Rapid bossing the game the deadlock remained in tact.Schrammel injuredShortly before the half time whistle Thomas Schrammel, with no contact from an opponent, collapsed to the floor in a heap after sustaining what looked like a nasty injury. He was forced to leave the field, being replaced by Stefan Stangl. We wish Thomas a speedy recovery and will know more about the extent of his injuries once a thorough diagnosis has been completed.Passing football pays dividendsAt the beginning of the second period the goal Rapid had threatened all afternoon finally materialised: from a deep position just inside the opposition half Thanos Petsos played a superb slide rule pass, completely bisecting the Ried defence and playing Flo Kainz through on Gebauer. Kainz steadied himself and coolly slotted the ball through the keeper's legs - 1:0 (49.)! Further efforts rained down on goal in the shape of a Kainz header and a Stefan Schwab shot as Rapid went in search of a killer second. Thomas Murg underlined the need for a second when, against the run of play, he fired off a decent long range effort that drew a smart diving save from Novota (60.). However that was to be as good as it would get for the side from Austria's Innviertel, as at the other end Rapid continued to threaten: a corner was flicked on to the back post by Mario Sonnleitner, where it was met and turned goal-wards by a diving header from Max Hofmann, but Gebauer scrambled and just about managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line (69.). It took until the final 5 minutes before Rapid managed to add to the scoreboard, but a second did eventually arrive when Beric was on hand to slam the ball into the net from close range with an authoritative back-heel after a flick on from Stangl - 2:0 and Ried finally put to bed. There was still time for a third as Auer crossed to substitute Louis Schaub, who rounded the move off with a superb header, guiding the ball past Gebauer back in the direction from which it had been delivered - 3:0 and a score line that was more instructive of the flow of the game (89.). Schaub's goal was fitting way to round off a fluid and stylish performance from a bubbling Rapid side. Zoran Barisic will be looking for his team to provide similar high quality attacking football next Wednesday when Ajax visit Vienna.tipico Bundesliga, Match Day 1SK Rapid - SV Ried 3:0 (0:0)Ernst-Happel-Stadium, 15.100 Attendance, Ref HarkamGoals: 1:0 (48.) F. Kainz, 2:0 (84.) Beric, 3:0 (89.) SchaubSK Rapid: Novota - Auer, Sonnleitner, M. Hofmann, Schrammel (45.+2 Stangl) - Petsos, Schwab - Schobesberger (63. Schaub), S. Hofmann (73. Huspek), F. Kainz - BericSV Ried: Gebauer - Bergmann, Janeczek, Filipovic, Kragl - Walch, Streker (81. Trauner), Ziegl, Elsneg - Murg (69. Prada), Sikorski (57. Gavilan)Red Card: Kragl (28./Denying a clear goal scoring opportunity)(gw)
28.07.2015