125 JAHRE SK RAPID
  Tagen
  Std
  Min
  Sek
Open In App
13.08.2015

Zoran Barisic's team selection for the first derby of the season on Wednesday night showed little in the way of experimentation or rotation, as the Rapid chief opted to go for the tried and tested in the Generali Arena. With the attacking trio of Steffen Hofmann, Flo Kainz and PhilippSchobesberger back in the starting formation the Green & Whites found their rhythm early and began deploying their aesthetic brand of football. The hosts, decked out in familiar violet, also looked to get on the front foot, and managed to register the first goal attempt of the evening in the shape of a long range effort from Gorgon (10.).

However the action then swung to the other end of the pitch with a vengeance: Steffen Hofmann delivered a free kick into the Austria penalty area where Stefan Stangl found himself in oceans of space, and he made no mistake as he planted a firm header into the corner to give Rapid the lead - 1:0 (17.)! Just as the Hütteldorfers looked like putting their opponents to the sword a timely reminder came that football is a team game, as Kayode was sent through clean on goal, but came out second best in a one-on-one situation with Jan Novota (26.). Just a minute later Novota's save from Kayode looked all the more vital: a superb ball from Stangl was gathered in by Beric without the hitman having to break stride before playing it on toSchobesberger, who beat Austria keeper Almer with a composed finish to double Rapid's lead - 2:0 (27.)! The Green & White faithful barely had time to catch their breath before Zoran Barisic's side struck another hammer blow: Stefan Schwab found himself in space on the edge of the Austria penalty area, and with defenders electing to back off he picked his spot and rifled the ball from twenty meters directly into the top corner - 3:0; a wonder strike from Schwab and Austria teetering on the brink of capitulation (33.)!

Matters could have gotten even more painful for the restless natives before half time but Almer did well to keep out an effort from Schwab, before Stangl clipped the outside of the post with the follow up (44.). On the stroke of half time the hosts were given some relief when Mario Sonnleitner conceded a penalty after bringing down Gorgon in the box. Jan Novota guessed correctly and pulled off an excellent save from Gorgon, who had taken the penalty himself, but the big keeper was powerless as the Austria man tapped home the rebound into an unguarded net - 3:1 (45.) and the end of a near perfect half of football from the Green & Whites.

The second period got under way just as the first had done: with a slightly surreal feel to it. The goal late in the first half had given Austria something to cling on to and they went in search of a second that would give them hope of an unlikely come back. Novota was again called into action, as he kept out efforts from Martschinko (50.) and Kayode (52.) in quick succession. Just as Austria were building a head of steam, Rapid broke with the ruthlessness displayed in Amsterdam to again all but kill a match dead on opposition ground: Philipp Schobesberger led the charge on a counter attack before playing the ball on to Steffen Hofmann, who beat Almer to send the Rapid fans into delirium and simultaneously deflate the home crowd in an Ajax-esque fashion - 4:1 (56.). It was our Captain's last input of the evening, as he promptly made way for the arrival of in-form Louis Schaub. Despite the margin of the lead Rapid continued to press forwards looking for further goals. Stangl and Beric both passed up glorious chances to add a fifth, butBeric wasn't to be denied: a cross from Schobesberger was met by our star striker who had ghosted in between defenders unchecked to head home a richly deserved goal - 5:1 (66.)!

The game was over. Despite Gorgon capitalising on a momentary lapse in concentration to score his second of the night (70.), the goal never threatened to be anything more than consolation. Whilst Rapid passed up chances that might have led to a record victory in the Generali Arena, it is difficult to level too much criticism at a team playing at the peak of their powers. The victory over Austria not only won the derby bragging rights, it also represented the fourth victory in four Bundesliga outings, which now include away matches in Salzburg and Favoriten. Football can occasionally be a very enjoyable sport…

tipico Bundesliga, 4th round:
FK Austria - SK Rapid 2:5 (1:3)
Generali-Arena, 12.500 Attendance, Ref Hameter

Goals: 0:1 Stangl (17.), 0:2 Schobesberger (27.), 0:3 Schwab (33.), 1:3 Gorgon (45.), 1:4 S. Hofmann (56.), 1:5 Beric (66.), 2:5 Gorgon (72.);

FK Austria: Almer - F. Koch (82./De Paula), Sikov, Stronati, Martschinko - Vukojevic (67./Serbest), Holzhauser - Gorgon, Grünwald (60./Friesenbichler), Kehat - Kayode;

SK Rapid: Novota - Auer, Sonnleitner, Dibon (46./M. Hofmann), Stangl - Petsos, Schwab - Schobesberger, St. Hofmann (57./Schaub), Kainz - Beric (74./Alar)

Yellow Cards: Vukojevic, Holzhauser, Kayode, Friesenbichler; Sonnleitner, Petsos, Auer;

(gw)