The third of four away games in a row saw our side travel to Innsbruck to take on basement boys Wacker. Looking to save time and energy, Rapid flew in to the mountain city on the morning of the game, then flew back to Vienna directly afterwards landing at 23:00. On the coming Wednesday the team will be packing their bags once more for the slightly further flung Kharkiv in the Ukraine for a crucial UEFA Europa League encounter. The Ukranians represent a tough test for Rapid, and thus it was all the more important to see off Innsbruck and claim a morale boosting three points.  Turning the screw after half an hour The Green & Whites found the opening exchanges tough going the determined hosts were looking to prove that they certainly don't belong at the foot of the Bundesliga table. Ex Rapid man Saurer's seventh minute volley was the first effort at either end, but not long afterwards Hofmann and Alar registered efforts for the Hütteldorfers in the 15th and 22nd minutes respectively. It took until the half an hour mark before Rapid could really impose themselves on their opponents they then began to create chances that could easily have yielded a lead. Christopher Trimmel had two chances in as many minutes, the first a 32nd minute headed effort before firing over a shot. Boyd then had a guilt edged opportunity after being set up brilliantly by Hofmann after Innsbruck keeper Safar had parried the ball, but slammed his effort against the bar a minute before the interval. Nil-nil at half time. Capitalizing on chances However, Rapid were not forced to wait long after the restart for a richly deserved lead: Terrence Boyd hit the crossbar again from a 48th minute corner, but this time Markus Katzer was on hand to easily turn the ball home from close range. Wacker looked to hit back instantly with a string of quick efforts: Merino attempted a long range effort just seconds after Rapid had taken the lead, whilst Schreter fired narrowly over in the 52nd minute. Despite looking convincing with a one goal lead, the game was far from over and despite a compact defensive shape, Sauerer threatened Königshofer's clean sheet in the 63rd minute, but the Rapid keeper was up to the task. The killer second goal arrived little over five minutes before the end, but not before Grozurek saw an effort from a Katzer corner palmed onto the crossbar by Safar. But then knock blow was finally landed when Alar found Burgstaller, who in return played in Grozurek, who wasn't to be denied twice as he beat Safar with aplomb to seal a welcome, and deserved, victory. The three points lifts the Hütteldorfers into first place in the Bundesliga table. In this sort of form would anyone bet against the record champions adding to their impressive collection of Bundesliga titles?The victory sets the boys up perfectly for Thursday game in the Ukraine. Another three points from a tricky away fixture would be most welcome! tipp3-Bundesliga, 10th round:Wacker Innsbruck - SK Rapid 0:2 (0:0)Tivoli Stadion Tirol, 6.050, Referee MuckenhammerGoals: 0:1 (48.) Katzer, 0:2 (86.) GrozurekWacker Innsbruck: Safar - Dakovic, Kofler, Svejnoha, Hauser - Abraham - Bergmann (56. Wernitznig), Merino (84. Perstaller), Saurer - Wallner, Schreter (72. Fernandes)SK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen, Ildiz - Burgstaller, Hofmann, Alar - Boyd (60. Grozurek)Yellow Cards: Svejnoha, Kofler Boyd, Heikkinen (gw)
02.10.2012