2:1: Rapid take three points from last home league fixture of 2015!

Having chalked up an impressive eight straight wins against SV Ried, it appeared that Rapid couldn't have chosen a better opponent to get back on track following the disappointing midweek defeat to Admira. There was good news on the injury front as Mario Sonnleitner registered himself fit for action prior to kick-off. However, illness and injury deprived Zoran Barisic of the services of Mario Pavelic and birthday boy Tomi respectively.

The Green & Whites were in the ascendency early on, as Flo Kainz drew a smart stop from Ried keeper Thomas Gebauer from a tight angle (5.). The first fifteen minutes saw Rapid bossing the game in terms of territory and possession, but it was the guests that broke the deadlock: a break down in play was capitalised on by the visitors, as they made the most of some lacklustre defending to take the lead through Murg, who rounded the move off from close range - 0:1 (18.). Ried were grateful to Gebauer just a minute later when he produced a good save to prevent Nutz restoring parity almost directly from the re-start (20.). The game swung from end to end, as Strebinger had to then rush off his line to end a dangerous Ried attack (21.) before Stefan Schwab levelled proceedings: driving to the edge of the box, Schwab used the space to get off a shot, placing the ball low beyond Gebauer and into the back of the net - 1:1 (22.)!
A decent game unfolded in the remainder of the half, with Rapid looking to zip the ball about the pitch and dislodge their opponents from their deep defensive positions. However, Ried stood firm and no further concrete chances presented themselves to either side before the break.

A somewhat re-invigorated - but unchanged - Hütteldorfer eleven emerged for the second half and began searching for a second goal. Just minutes after the restart Gebauer was again on hand to ensure his side remained on level terms, this time keeping out a good headed effort from Sonnleitner following a deep free kick (47.). Kainz then got in on the act, heading narrowly over before trying his luck with a long range effort that was too central to really trouble the Ried custodian.

On the hour mark the 12,700 spectators in the Ernst-Happel-Stadium rose to their feet to welcome forward Louis Schaub back onto the pitch following his injury lay off. A Thanos Petsos free kick just missed the target (62.), before Schaub nearly marked his return with a goal: a cross from Philipp Schobesberger reached Schaub in the middle, but he just failed to bring it under control, allowing Gebauer to rush out, and a combination of goalkeeper and attacker resulted in the ball rolling just wide of the goal (70.). As the game entered the Rapid-Viertelstunde one had the feeling that a goal was in the offing, and so it proved: Stefan Stangl made his way into the visitor's box before playing a superb pass to Philipp Prosenik, who failed to make proper contact. Fortunately the ball rolled on to Schobesberger, who gratefully stabbed home to give his side the lead - 2:1 (76.)!

In the closing stages Rapid could have added a killer third - particularly through substitute Deni Alar - but it wasn't to be, and it also wasn’t to be required. The final whistle went with the score with no further additions to the score line and the Hüttledorfers recorded a deserved home victory in their last league appearance in the capital of 2015. The three points ensure Rapid remain very much in the hunt at the business end of the Bundesliga table.

(gw)