Even before kick off the 4200 travelling Rapid supporters were creating an atmosphere akin to a home match. Even after the Hütteldorfers fell behind to an early goal they didn't let up the vitriolic support for one minute. The said goal arrived for Leverkusen in the 4th minute when from a corner Junior header against the bar and Hegeler reacted quickest to head the rebound home from close range. However Rapid were determined to give a better account of themselves than they had done against the same opposition in Vienna a week previously and held firm. They could have equalized just a minute later, but Christopher Trimmel's header inched just wide of the target. In a hectic opening phase Leverkusen again struck woodwork this time Carvajals floating 12th minute cross shaved the crossbar. The Green & Whites refused to go down without a fight, and battled for every loose ball with the agile duo of Wydra and Pichler putting in particularly strong performances. The Viennese continued to create: firstly Boyd fired narrowly over on the half hour mark, then two minutes later captain Kulovits was a matter of inches wide with a powerful strike having been played in by a cute pass from Boyd. Trimmel was again causing problems for the Bayer defence in the 41st minute: the winger's header hitting the outside of the post before bouncing behind for a goal kick. The closing 15 minutes of the first half saw some excellent, positive football from Rapid, who had really pressed and had carried genuine goal threat. However the half time whistle went with the score line still 1:0 to the hosts. Unfortunately the good work was undone not long into the second half: in the 52nd Schürrle made a let run to get onto the end of corner and score the second headed goal of the match for Leverkusen. In the 65th minute the game was then over as a contest as again Rapid failed to deal with a corner: this time Manuel Friedrich stole in unmarked to put clear daylight between the two sides. The game on the pitch was all but over, but the battle for the stands? That was over from kick off as songs from Vienna's 14th district filled the cold air. The supporters once again showed the team that even in difficult situations they can count on the backing of one of Europe's most loyal, and vocal followings. Despite the game being over it was impossible not to stand back and feel proud whilst watching the Rapid fans in full voice. Leverkusen created a few more half chances but had long since taken their foot off the gas as the game wore down to its predictable end. The 19,842 fans present in the BayArena had witnessed a clear victory for Leverkusen, but also seen a spirited performance from Rapid that will surely stand them in good stead for the rest of the domestic campaign. A massive, massive thank you to the travelling faithful….every team in Europe would wish to have a set of fans like you. UEFA Europa League:Bayer Leverkusen - SK Rapid 3:0 (1:0)BayArena, 19.842 Attendance, Referee Kovarik (CZE)Goals: 1:0 Hegeler (4.), 2:0 Schürrle (53.), 3:0 Friedrich (66.)Leverkusen: Rensing - Carvajal (74./Carlinhos), Friedrich, Toprak, Hosogai - Rolfes, Reinartz, Hegeler - Sam (46./Castro), Schürrle (62./Renato Augusto) - FernandesSK Rapid: Königshofer - Schimpelsberger, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Schrammel - Pichler - Trimmel, Kulovits, Wydra, Grozurek - Boyd (86./Prokopic)Yellow Cards: Carvajal, Reinartz Kulovits, Boyd
14.11.2012