Trainer Zoran Barisic again shuffled his pack following last weeks draw in Kapfenberg: Back into the fold came midfield trio Hofmann, Prokopic and Trimmel, while Tanju Kayhan reclaimed the right back berth. Hamdi Salihi again led the line on his own. Drazan tries to stir RapidScoring opportunities were at a premium in the first half: A long range Steffen Hofmann effort tested away keeper Borentisch in the 12th minute but the first half highlight was provided by Christopher Drazan on the half hour mark. The left-winger took on the Mattersburg defence single handed, manufacturing a shooting opportunity for himself that fizzed just wide of the target. In was a bright spot in a largely disappointing affaire, Rapid were struggling for inspiration, while the visitors looked content to play on the break despite having secured their Bundesliga status in the previous round of matches. Salihi closeThe second half failed to raise the spirits around the Hanappi, again a void of ideas and action from both sides was the order of the day. The best chance came midway through the 45 minutes as Hamdi Salihi latched onto an excellent ball from Boris Prokopic. The Rapid top goal-scorer took the lofted pass on his chest before striking a powerful effort just wide of the target on the half volley from the edge of the penalty area. It was as close as the Hütteldorfers were to come and they added just one more point to their recent disappointing haul. Europa League qualification remains mathematically possible, and with the Vienna derby looming large, the motivation will still be there to pull the season from the fire. 33rd round:SK Rapid - SV Mattersburg 0:0Hanappi-Stadion, 12.400, Referee Markus Hameter.SK Rapid: Payer - Kayhan, Soma, Patocka (76./Nuhiu), Katzer - Heikkinen - Trimmel (66./Saurer), Hofmann, Prokopic, Drazan - SalihiSV Mattersburg: Borenitsch - Farkas, Malic, Pöllhuber, Rath - Spuller, Seidl, Ilsanker, Mörz (48./Salamon) - Bürger (84./Parlov) - Waltner (67./Pauschenwein)Yellow Cards: Heikkinen, Hofmann Malic, Farkas, Bürger, Ilsanker(gw)
13.05.2011