Derby disappointment in first Allianz Stadium clash

Ahead of the first Vienna Derby in Rapid's new Allianz Stadium, a spate of injuries forced Trainer Mike Büskens to make same changes to his starting line up. The experienced Mario Sonnleitner took to the field, having not appeared in a competitive fixture for the club this season. In a more positive injury surprise, Christoph Schösswendter has sufficiently recovered from an injury sustained on Thursday against Sassuolo in order to take a spot on the bench.

Unsurprisingly the 319th Vienna derby proved to be a spiky affair as our Green & Whites got down to business against their violet cross city rivals in the Viennese autumn sun. The anticipation ahead of the clash in Hütteldorf had been building for months, with the Allianz Stadium completely sold out weeks in advance of the meeting.

In this game of high stakes and city bragging rights, the early stage of which were - as to be expected - dominated by flying tackles and full blooded challenges, it was Rapid who came out of the blocks quicker: Arnor Traustason shot narrowly wide (10.), before the same player put a volley over the bar (23.). A beautiful passage of build up play presented Joelinton with a glorious chance, but he failed to bring the ball properly under control, eventually getting off an effort that was too central to truly trouble the Austria goalie (29.). Thomas Murg also tried his luck with a shot from distance (34.), before the guests went ahead against the run of play owing to very controversial penalty award. A shot was parried by Richard Strebinger, and with the ball only a matter of feet off the ground, Mario Sonnleitner attempted to clear with his foot, whilst Austria striker Grünwald stooped down to head the ball. The two connected at the same time, with referee Lechner harshly adjudging that Sonnleitner's foot was high. Holzhauser coolly converted the penalty to give Austria the lead (36.).

Rapid nearly found a first half ripost, when Joelinton passed to Schaub in the area, who dribbled past his marker but from close distance couldn't beat the onrushing goalie. The move was still alive though, as Schwab collected the rebound and tried to fire off a right footed shot, injuring himself in the process. The Rapid skipper had to leave the field with a nasty looking injury, and pending results of a scan will probably miss a good chunk of forthcoming action. We wish Stefan a speedy recovery and return to first team action!

With the second half barely three minutes old, Mike Büskens' half time team talk disappeared out the window as a shocked Allianz Stadium witnessed Rapid go two goals down: an Austria move down the right flank resulted in a low ball being slid across the six yard box to Grünwald, who effortlessly converted with the Hütteldorfer defence missing in action - 0:2 (48.). Just minutes later Strebinger was called upon to deny Venuto, as things nearly went from bad to worse for a shocked Rapid side (50.). The next set back wasn't long in coming though, as another injury struck with Stephan Auer this time forced to leave the field.

Whilst the ball curiously burst, Rapid's hopes of getting back into the game lived somewhat longer, and the quality of some of their football would've quite easily merited a goal. Mario Sonnleitner lashed a shot over the bar when well placed after a ball dropped to him from a corner (73.), before Szanto bent a beautiful effort from the left hand side of the penalty area onto the far post, with Louis Schaub unable to direct the rebound on target (81.). Rapid continued to apply late pressure, but as the minutes wound down and a goal failed to materialise the unthinkable became inevitable. It wasn't meant to be despite a largely positive performance.

(gw)