Without Steffen Hofmann (niggling back injury), but with his namesake Maximilian, Rapid went into the last friendly encounter of the pre-season. The opposition were none other than a star studded Paris St. Germain with coach Laurent Blanc also in attendance. An impressive 15,200 onlookers filled the stands in Hütteldorf and they were treated to a an excellent display from a Green & White eleven that flew out of the traps and took the game to their illustrious opponents. The quality on display from Rapid seemed to take the Parisians by surprise and the first real goal threat resulted in a deserved lead: a Dominik Wydra corner found its way to Christopher Trimmel who turned the ball home with a delightful back heeled finish - 1:0 (16.). It was a fitting way to round off an exceptional opening phase from a highly motivated Rapid outfit.The goal woke the guests from their slumber as their quality began to show. Jan Novota had to be on his toes as he punched a long range effort from Ongenda to safety, but the game was far from one way traffic and Rapid hit back immediately: the nippy Marcel Sabitzer went close with an effort that looked destined for the top corner (28.) before Boskovic tested PSG keeper Douchez with a fierce long ranger (28.). Last ditch defending then denied Sabitzer when the striker was well positioned: his goal bound effort cannoned off his marker and went out into safety (35.). PSG managed to manufacture the last clear opening of the half, but Ongenda's expert free kick was tipped over the bar by Novota on the stroke of half time (43.).A radically different Rapid team emerged for the second half: Zoran Barisic made no fewer than nine changes, whilst Laurent Blanc sent out an unchanged eleven. One of those new to the field almost increased Rapid's advantage, but Guido Burgstaller's free kick failed to trouble the PSG keeper (52.). Pastore attempt to drag his side level but his wayward shot never looked like threatening Novota's goal (58.). The Parisians did almost pull level not long afterwards, but Coulibaly's header hit the top of the crossbar (64.). Rapid nearly grabbed a second on the counter, but Douchez was equal to Terrence Boyd's deflected shot following a sweeping move (68.). In what was developing into an end to end encounter Pastore was the next player to go close, but fired wide from close range when all in the stadium were expecting the net to bulge (74.).PSG certainly didn't want to go down to a defeat, that was palpable, but a solid rearguard action was frustrating the French side's band of superstars. Eventually the equaliser arrived when Pastore coolly dispatched a deep cross into the net - 1:1 (76.). Pastore's clinical finish gave débutante goalie Samuel Radlinger no chance. The game was then turned on its head when Gameiro squeezed home a shot to give his side a 2:1 lead (81.). It was disappointing to succumb to a deflected effort following all the hard work our side had put into the game. Gameiro's goal proved to be the final one of the evening and Rapid, along with the incredible support of the 12th man in the stands, had to accept a narrow loss. It was a match though, that will give the boys a tremendous amount of confidence going into the new season.International Friendly Match:SK Rapid – Paris St. Germain 1:2 (1:0)Friday, 12th July 2013, Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 15.200 Attendance, Referee: LechnerGoals: 1:0 Trimmel (16.), 1:1 Pastore (76.), 1:2 Gameiro (81.)SK Rapid: Novota (46. Radlinger) Trimmel (46. Pavelic), M. Hofmann (46. Sonnleitner), Pichler, Schrammel (46. Palla) Boskovic (46. Behrendt), Wydra (46. Dibon) Schaub (46. Burgstaller) Sabitzer (46. Bajrami), Boyd, Grozurek (46. Denner)Paris St. Germain: Douchez Van der Wiel, Alex (76. Traore), Camara, Tallet Ogenda (70. Kebano), Bodmer, Thiago Motta (62. Chantome), Pastore Coulibaly (66. Coman), GameiroYellow cards: Pichler, Boyd, Burgstaller Thiago Motta, Pastore, Van der Wiel(gw)
16.07.2013