The first positive sign of the afternoon came with the team sheet: Steffen Hofmann had recovered well enough to take his place amongst the starting 11, sporting a pair of protective glasses following his recent facial injury. Guido Burgstaller, Michael Schimpelsberger and Christopher Drazan also made their returns to first team action whilst suspended duo Trimmel and Prager looked on from the sidelines. Following the previous two disappointing outings against Austria and Leverkusen respectively, this match was to prove an entirely different affair, packed with free flowing football, chances and ultimately three points. Furios Opening StagesFrom the first whistle, neither team was prepared to give an inch in a furious opening phase. After two minutes Soriano fired over for Salzburg, having been set up by Mane in the second minute. Just a minute later Drazan responded with a long range effort, whilst in the 5th minute a Drazan cross nearly found its way to a lurking Boyd in the Red Bull penalty area. Salzburg responded and Berisha tested Rapid keeper Königshofer in the 7th minute, Mane again pulling the strings for the guests, this time with a clever defense splitting through ball. Just as Red Bull may have felt they were establishing themselves as the dominant side the first goal arrived: the masked Captain Steffen Hofmann beat Salzburg goalie Walke with a stunning free kick from just outside the area. Fourteen minutes on the clock and Rapid had got their noses in front through their mercurial skipper.  Salzburg picked themselves up and again got the impressive Mane on the ball. His 17th minute pass set up Soriano who again stung the palms of Königshofer the Rapid keeper was being kept on his toes by the threatening guests. Burgstaller went close for Rapid in the 23rd minute: his snap shot looked destined for the corner but unfortunately just cleared the angle. Shortly afterwards the unfortunate Christopher Drazan had to leave proceedings after falling awkwardly on his shoulder after challenging for a header. Lady luck appeared to be smiling on the Hütteldorfers for the first time in weeks: Salzburg had built up a head of steam and were passing up great opportunities as the equalizer looked only a matter of time. Firstly Soriano guided a 30th minute header just wide, just minutes later Kampl seized on a loose ball from Kulovits but failed to make the most of the chance, firing wide whilst well positioned. There was no let up in the pace as in the 37th minute Schimpelsberger floated an inviting ball into the Salzburg box that was met by Kulovits, but the midfielder guided his header wide of the target. Alar came into the match in place of Hofmann, the Rapid skipper unable to continue due to his injury, and had the chance to make an instant impact but fired a shot narrowly wide from 18 yards. Two minutes from half time Gerson got in a vital block to deny Kampl. It remained 1:0 at the end of a breathless first half. Picking up where it left off Both teams continued exactly where they had left off at the start of the second period, but it was the Hütteldorfers who grabbed the initiative. Two minutes after the restart Burgstaller gathered in the ball and crossed for Boyd, who dispatched an unstoppable header past Walke to double the advantage and send the Hanappi into wild celebrations. The game was far from over though and Königshofer was again called into action to deny Kampl in the 54th minute and then again just five minutes later. Rapid were fighting for every loose ball, while Salzburg continued to combine well and press for a reply. The tension remained but with a two goal cushion the Green & Whites began to squeeze the match and sit deeper: the guests began to find clear cut chances harder to come by. Rapid could have made the game safe with 15 minutes to play: Burgstaller led a swift counter and set up Boyd who failed to apply the required finish. The game remained exciting, but as the minutes ticked by Rapid edged nearer and nearer to a crucial three points. The final whistle eventually went and the Green half of the city could begin to celebrate in earnest. It wasn't just the victory over the reigning champions that fuelled the celebrations, but also the manner of the victory. Rapid had produced a sparkling performance and were worthy winners in an engrossing game. tipp3-Bundesliga, 13th round:SK Rapid - RB Salzburg 2:0 (1:0)Hanappi-Stadion, 16.700 Attendance, Referee Harkam Goals: 1:0 Hofmann (14.), 2:0 Boyd (47.) SK Rapid: Königshofer - Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel - Heikkinen, Kulovits - Burgstaller, Hofmann (42./Grozurek), Drazan (25./Alar/66./Ildiz) - Boyd RB Salzburg: Walke - Klein, Vorsah, Hinteregger, Ulmer (80./Edomwonyi) - Mendes (46./Teigl) - Kampl, Berisha (67./Nielsen), Leitgeb, Mane - Soriano Yellow Cards: Boyd, Schimpelsberger Klein, Mane, Hinteregger(gw)
06.11.2012