1:2: Disappointing defeat in the South City

Following the intense schedule the Rapid players and staff have had to negotiate in the past months, the mini-trip to Mödling on the southern outskirts of Vienna didn't look logistically too daunting. After two wins on the bounce, a victory over Admira would have made theoretically possible a return to the Bundesliga summit for the first time in a while. Zoran Barisic and his coaching staff shuffled the pack somewhat with Deni Alar, Stephan Auer, Matej Jelic and Steffen Hofmann coming into the line-up having not started last time out against Altach.

It was the hosts who had the better of the opening stages and should really have taken the lead early on when Spiridonovic broke clear of the Rapid defence, only to chip the ball well wide of the target when one on one with Richard Strebinger (5.). Knasmüller also had a great close range opportunity for Admira, but he was fortunately not able to turn the ball home from a tight angle (17.). Somewhat against the run of play it was the Hüttledorfers who then nearly opened the scoring: Steffen Hofmann supplied Deni Alar with a fantastic chance, but the forward missed the target by a matter of inches just as the 2000 strong band of travelling Rapid fans were getting ready to celebrate the opener (24.). At the other end ex-Rapid man Bajrami thumped Strebinger's crossbar with a powerful shot, with Spiridonovic unable to capitalise on the rebound (32.). The game was swinging from end to end.

It was then Rapid's turn to hold their heads in their hands, when Deni Alar's low shot from 18 meters cannoned off the inside of the post and away to safety (37.). Finally the break through arrived: a cross from Kainz was met by Alar, who turned the ball home with a simple finish to give Rapid the lead - 1:0 (38.)! It capped a good spell of pressure from Barisic's side and despite having struggled early on, they probably deserved by this point to have their noses in front.

Philipp Schobesberger replaced skipper Steffen Hofmann at half time, with the Rapid captain having to look on powerlessly from the stands as Admira pulled themselves level: Zwierschitz was on hand in the box to poke the ball over the line after a deep free kick had caused problems for the Green & White defence (53.). The goal boosted Mödling who went off in search of another: Strebinger did well to repel a long range shot from Spiridonovic (54.), before the unmarked Knasmüller passed up another great chance (59.). Deni Alar was again looking the Rapid player most likely to trouble Admira at the other end, and on the hour mark his acrobatic volleyed effort just cleared the crossbar (60.). Just two minutes later though it was the hosts who completed the turnaround: Richard Strebinger hauled down ex-Rapid player Lukas Grozurek following a clearance up-field, with Spiridonovic converting the resulting penalty - 1:2 (62.).

Having taken the lead Admira dropped back into a deep defensive formation and managed to keep the Hüttledorfers largely comfortably at arms-length. The introduction from the bench of Thanos Petsos and Philipp Prosenik did little to add extra spark to Rapid's attacking play. In fact it was Admira who came closest to adding to their tally through efforts from Schößwendter (83.) and Schicker (90.). There was to be no reward for Rapid’s exertions in the closing stages as they went down to a disappointing one goal defeat.

(gw)