Following on from the 3-3 draw away in Salzburg on the weekend, the Bundesliga fixture list threw up another top clash for the third time in a row this time in the shape of a home match against Sturm Graz. The men from Graz currently occupy fourth place and have their own designs on claiming a European spot for next season. The game represented an excellent chance for Rapid to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. Branko Boskovic returned following suspension for Peter Schöttels side however Harry Pichler and Thomas Schrammel were unavailable for selection. Markus Heikkinen and Markus Katzer were drafted in as their more than capable replacements. The opening exchanges saw a nervous looking Sturm trying to contain a confident start from Rapid: the Green & Whites dominating territorially, forcing their opponents deep into their own half. Guido Burgstaller was looking bright and lively up front, and the first chance of the match came his way as he got on the end of a cross, sending his shot narrowly wide of the upright (7.). Although on the scoreboard the game remained even, on the pitch Rapid were clearly enjoying the upper hand, and when Graz did make a rare foray further up the pitch, the Hütteldorfers immediately sought to exploit the space created: Burgstaller found the advanced Katzer who played an inviting ball into Boskovic and with a very assured touch the Montenegrin slotted the ball home to score his first goal since returning to Austria (29.). It was a richly deserved lead for Rapid, who minutes earlier had been denied as Sturm keeper Focher had to be at his best to keep out a Terrance Boyd effort. Rapid continued to hold the advantage for the remainder of the half and took their one goal lead into the interval.  Graz force their way back into the match An expectant crowd welcomed the Green & Whites back onto the pitch, and to begin with the game fell into much the same rhythm as before the break: Rapid looking strong and pushing for the two goal lead. The referee had to make an important call in the 49th minute following a coming together between Burgstaller and Kaufmann in the Sturm penalty area, to the disappointment of the Rapid faithful he signaled for play to continue. The incident marked a turning point in momentum as the visitors began to claw their way back into the match. Firstly the dangerous Rubin Okotie went close (51.), before Kainz shot over from close range despite being extremely well positioned (57.). The pressure finally told though when Vujadinovic rose highest in the Rapid area to head home a goal that had been on the cards (60.). The Hütteldorfers refused to let heads drop and almost responded immediately but a Boskovic free kick went just cleared the crossbar (62.). Terrence Boyd could only find the outside of the net after having been set up by Steffen Hofmann (65.) as Rapid, buoyed by the introduction of Marcel Sabitzer and Lukas Grozurek again snatched the advantage and looked the team most likely to find a winner. Unfortunately the vital goal failed to materialize and the opportunity to establish a clear gap back to Sturm in 4th place was lost. It was a good game though, and one in which a point is far from a catastrophe.  tipp3-Bundesliga, 23. Runde:SK Rapid - Sturm Graz 1:1 (1:0)Hanappi-Stadion, 12.800 Attendance, Referee SchörgenhoferGoals: 1:0 Boskovic (29.), 1:1 Vujadinovic (60.)SK Rapid: Königshofer - Trimmel, Sonnleitner, Gerson, Katzer - Heikkinen, Boskovic - Alar (81./Grozurek), Hofmann, Burgstaller (70./Sabitzer) - BoydSturm: Focher - Kaufmann, Madl, Vujadinovic, Klem - Hölzl, T. Kainz, Säumel, F. Kainz - Okotie, Schloffer (82./Ciftci)Yellow Cards: Sonnleitner, Heikkinen, Katzer Okotie, Vujadinovic, Säumel (gw)
01.03.2013