Rapid were looking to claim the three points against German outfit Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday evening without the services of injured captain Steffen Hofmann. Drazan, Prager and Ildiz were tasked with providing the midfield creativity, while Deni Alar was up top in the lone striking role. However what looked like being a difficult task on paper began to transpire to be just that on the pitch direct from kick off. One thing was certain though: Peter Schöttel's pre-match rallying cry to the Rapid faithful was heeded, and a spectacular noise rang round the terraces in the virtually sold out Ernst Happel Stadium, not to mention an impressive choreography put on by the Block West. The players attempted to respond to the incredible noise emanating from the stands and managed to hold the visitors at bay for the opening half an hour. Leverkusen then stepped it up a gear and bagged their first goal of the afternoon: Kießling and Schürrle had already passed up presentable opportunities for the Germans, but the former made no mistake with a 37th minute header from a corner as Rapid's task got decidedly more difficult.   At half time Boyd was brought into the action in place of Heikinnen and the Green & Whites started the second half with purpose and intent, determined to get the score line back on an even keel. Gerson almost got onto the end of Deni Alar's 53rd minute free kick but was inches short of providing the telling touch. Leverkusen then responded by taking the game away from the Hütteldorfers: Castro played a slick one two with Bender and beat Königshofer all ends up to put the result beyond doubt in the 57th minute. Just minutes later Schürrle just about managed to bring the ball under control, fed it into Bellarabi who fired home to end the game as a contest with half an hour still on the clock. Sixty seconds later Bellarabi nearly made it four, but his effort was smartly kept out by an overworked Lukas Königshofer. Leverkusen proceeded to take their foot off the gas and as a result Rapid created a few chances of their own: Boyd fired a 76th minute shot just wide, and then with four minutes to play nearly pulled one back but was denied by a smart stop by Leverkusen keeper Leno. In injury time Castro rounded off a flowing counter attack to add gloss to an already impressive performance for the Germans, scoring a fourth in the 92nd minute. Despite suffering a painful defeat it was impossible to deny that Leverkusen were full value for their victory. It didn't stop the famous Rapid supporters singing their hearts out in support of their fallen heroes well beyond the final whistle. Attention now turns to Sunday's clash of the titans in the Bundesliga and the visit of reigning Austrian champions RB Salzburg to the Hanappi. UEFA Europa League:SK Rapid - Bayer Leverkusen 0:4 (0:1)Happel-Stadion, 44.000 Attendance, Referee Teixeira (ESP)Goals: 0:1 Wollscheid (37.), 0:2 Castro (56.), 0:3 Bellarabi (58.), 0:4 Castro (92.)SK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen (46./Boyd), Ildiz (63./Schimpelsberger), Kulovits, Prager, Drazan - Alar (77./Schrammel)Bayer Leverkusen: Leno - Schwaab, Wollscheid, Friedrich, Kadlec (10./Bender) - Rolfes, Schürrle (61./Hegeler), Castro, Hosogai, Bellarabi - Kießling (70./Fernandes)Yellow Card: Schwaab(gw)
31.10.2012